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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday rejected allegations by Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva that she was pepper sprayed during an immigration raid in Tucson.
In a post on
“ICE just raided Taco Giro in Tucson, a small family-owned restaurant that has served our community for years,” Grijalva wrote. “When I showed up as a member of Congress asking for more information, they pulled me aside and pepper-sprayed me.”
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In a post on (@Rep_Grijalva via X)
In a separate post, Grijalva called ICE a “lawless agency” that is “operating without transparency, accountability, and open disregard for basic due process.”
DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin quickly responded to Grijalva's claims, saying she was never sprayed directly, but simply “in close proximity to someone who was.”
“If their claims were true, this would be a medical marvel,” McLaughlin said. “But they're not true. They didn't pepper spray him. He was near someone who was pepper sprayed while they were obstructing and attacking authorities.”
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McLaughlin also said two law enforcement officers were “seriously injured” during the incident.
“In fact, two law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob that [Grijalva] “It came together,” he added. “Running yourself as a 'member of Congress' does not give you the right to obstruct law enforcement. More information to come.”
The clash also led the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which includes nearly 100 Democratic lawmakers, to call for a congressional investigation.
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DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said two law enforcement officers were “seriously injured” during the incident in Tucson. (DHS.gov)
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., the group's vice chair, denounced the incident as a “disgusting display of violence” against Grijalva and warned that it reflects “a dangerous moment for American democracy.”
The dispute unfolded a day after DHS announced it had detained at least a dozen criminal illegal immigrants —including “child sex offenders, domestic abusers, and violent gang members”—during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.
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“No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest and deport ALL illegal criminal aliens,” McLaughlin said.
DHS and Grijalva did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Fox News Digital's Greg Norman contributed to this report.
