ICE Accuses Rep. Adelita Grijalva of ‘Joining a Rioting Crowd’ in Tucson During Federal Enforcement Operation

Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (D) is getting fact checked, again. But this time it is by ICE and DHS.

For background, on December 5, Grijalva took to social media claiming that she was “shot at,” pepper sprayed by federal law enforcement officers and pushed aside as ICE and related agencies were conducting a raid of a “mom and pop” restaurant.

ICE just conducted a raid by Taco Giro in Tucson – a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years.

When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed-aside and pepper sprayed. pic.twitter.com/gPx0p3IXP2

— Rep. Adelita Grijalva (@Rep_Grijalva) December 5, 2025

In a follow up post, Grijalva fact checks herself as the video shows that her claims of being pushed and pepper sprayed never happened.

ICE is a lawless agency under this Administration – operating with no transparency, no accountability, and open disregard for basic due process.

No family in our community should live in fear, and I will not rest until we get clear answers and accountability. pic.twitter.com/Z2mUuRxHuX

— Rep. Adelita Grijalva (@Rep_Grijalva) December 5, 2025

Seemingly believing that the third time is the charm, Grijalva then appeared on MS Now, telling Jen Psaki:

“I think we’re all okay. It was, it was really scary, very jarring. I mean, it’s one thing to hear about these things happening in communities. It’s another thing to have it happen directly to you. I really did go, you know, with the assumption that I’m just trying to understand what’s happening. And so I went up, I introduced myself, I let them know who I was. One agent said, ‘I don’t care who you are, you need to get out of the way.’ We were pushed. We were shot at. And it’s really scary. It was very frightening and very jarring.”

In a press release on Wednesday, ICE charged that Grijalva “joined the rioting crowd” during the operation, stating, “During the operation, U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva joined the rioting crowd and attempted to impede law enforcement officers, then took to social media to slander law enforcement by falsely claiming she was pepper sprayed,” ICE said in a statement. “Agitators quickly turned violent, assaulting officers and slashing tires,” ICE added.

On Thursday, DHS provided the details of the raid of the “mom and pop” restaurant, which reportedly has numerous restaurants and associated stash houses. Over 100 agitators were violent and injured two federal officers. DHS arrested two individuals in the melee.

On Dec. 5, ICE Homeland Security Investigations Arizona and federal partners executed 16 criminal federal search warrants targeting nine restaurants and seven associated stash houses in Tucson, Arizona, and the surrounding region. The operation was part of a multiyear investigation into a transnational criminal organization involved in labor exploitation, tax violations, and immigration violations. 46 illegal aliens were arrested including those with previous arrests for sexual assault and illegal re-entry—a felony (emphasis added).

At one of the locations, over 100 agitators descended and attempted to impede law enforcement operations, locking a gate to trap agents within the perimeter of the restaurant. Agitators quickly turned violent, assaulting officers and slashing tires. An HSI Special Response Team was mobilized to regain control of the situation, where they were forced to deploy countermeasures. During the operation, U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva joined the rioting crowd and attempted to impede law enforcement officers, then took to social media to slander law enforcement by falsely claiming she was pepper sprayed.

One individual from the crowd was arresting for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, and another for damaging a government vehicle. Two HSI SRT operators were injured. One suffered a bicep rupture, the other suffered a knee injury. They have both been treated for their injuries.

Three days after Grijalva launched her political theater career on December 5th, Pinal County announced their new 287(g) partnership with ICE.

The Globe reported:

Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller held a press conference to announce the county’s new partnership with ICE through the 287(g) enforcement program. From the dais, Miller slammed Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva’s (D) stunt over the weekend where she lied about being “shot at” by federal officers during an anti-ICE riot in Tucson. Miller also rebutted Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ claims that the nearly 100 people detained in the immigration enforcement operation didn’t have criminal records.

“There are some Arizona politicians willing to lie to you in order to get more social media attention, as we saw this past week with Rep Grijalva being caught in a lie, she had her own Jussie Smollet moment, she have to manufacture outrage when none exists because they know that Arizonians are not on their side,” Miller charged, adding: “We in Pinal County back the blue and assaulting an officer here will land you in jail or prison where you belong.  There is no special treatment for elected officials, here the law will be applied equally and fairly. To say it again: assaulting a law enforcement officer is a crime and this law will be enforced in Pinal County, you will be arrested.”

Despite request for comment from various press agencies, Grijalva has not provided a response at the time of publishing.