TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Rep. Adelita Grijalva claimed she was pepper-sprayed by federal agents during a protest at a Taco Giro in Tucson, the site of one of many federal raids that happened across southern Arizona on Friday, Dec. 5.
13 News confirmed with Homeland Security that agents were executing more than a dozen warrants as part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax crimes. Homeland Security said several people were taken into custody, and 13 News saw property, mainly cardboard boxes, being seized.
The Tucson Police Department said it was not directly involved in the raids and was called in to help with traffic control.
“All TPD personnel involved in the response were in full TPD patrol (dark blue) uniforms,” the TPD said in a release. “No detentions, arrests, munitions, or force were deployed by TPD personnel at this incident during our response. The Tucson Police Department remains committed to supporting our community by ensuring both public safety and the protection of everyone’s ability to peacefully exercise their rights. Any community concerns about law enforcement use of force that occurred at the Taco Giro today can contact the local HSI office at ICEmedia@ice.dhs.gov.”
Grijalva’s video statement, which was posted to X, can be seen below. She said it happened at the restaurant located at 610 North Grande Road, where 13 News saw federal agents and protesters, and captured video of pepper spray being used.
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
“Moments ago, while my staff and I were on our way to get lunch, we encountered an ICE raid taking place at one of my favorite local restaurants, Taco Giro, a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for decades on the west side of Tucson,” Grijalva said in a release. “It’s in the heart of our community – right next to a church and a pre-school. When I presented myself as a Member of Congress and asked for more information, my staff and I were pushed aside and pepper-sprayed by masked agents. While I am fine, if that is the way they treat me, how are they treating other community members who do not have the same privileges and protections that I do?”
Video of pepper spray being used at that location can be seen below.
Video shows agents deploying pepper spray on protestors
Grijalva said she goes to the restaurant once per week, and said she identified herself as a member of Congress.
“I was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent and pushed around by others when I literally was not being aggressive,” she said. “I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress.”
Grijalva said once she introduced herself, she thought things would get a little calmer. She said one person was being nice, but “everyone else was being rude and disrespectful.”
Grijalva called out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown across the country.
“While we still do not know the full circumstances of this raid, we do know this: under the Trump Administration, communities across the country are being terrorized by a lawless agency,” she said. “Our residents deserve to know whether these raids are targeting genuine public safety threats – or law-abiding neighbors who have called our communities home for decades. ICE has become 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.”
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz released a joint statement about the raids, and it can be read below.
Today, federal officers conducted a raid in Tucson that rapidly escalated into violence against the public. We share the fears in our community created by President Trump’s immoral and inhumane immigration policies.
Under the Trump Administration, unidentified federal agents often intentionally wear clothing with vague words like “police” to purposefully confuse the public.
Their disproportionate use of force, smoke grenades and pepper balls against the public, including our own Representative Adelita Grijalva, is not justified and cannot be tolerated.
Uniformed, clearly identified Tucson Police Department officers went to the scene to close the street and to keep our residents safe. They were not involved in the use of force against community members.
We are committed to having a safe city where everyone’s rights are respected and legally enforced at all times. We encourage people with video or photographic information about today’s incident to keep it for potential investigation and follow-up.
13 News has reached out to Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego for comment, along with Rep. Juan Ciscomani.
13 News’ Dan Marries was the first to report early Friday that there was a heavy presence at the Taco Giro located on Thornydale Road. 13 News then reached out to law enforcement and local businesses to confirm ongoing raids also at Taco Giro locations in Tucson, Sierra Vista, and Vail areas.
13 News confirmed with ICE Homeland Security Investigations that agents were executing more than a dozen warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into immigration and tax crimes.
In a statement to 13 News, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said:
“Special agents and officers from ICE Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, and other federal partners are executing 16 search warrants in southern Arizona as part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax violations. Multiple individuals are in custody.”
“As soon as the number is confirmed, we will share more details.”
Video from 13 News from the Taco Giro location at 8320 North Thornydale Road showed agents removing boxes from inside the business.
Heavy presence of federal agents across southern Arizona
An active scene was also confirmed at 610 North Grande Road. That video is in the video player at the top of this story.
13 News also saw an active scene at the restaurant located at 1402 Craycroft Road.
The video shows agents using pepper spray on a large group of protestors, along with Grijalva, who arrived and tried to talk to the protestors.
At least one protester was arrested during the confrontation with agents. Another protestor was seen getting in the face of an agent.
Employees at a nearby business in Sierra Vista confirmed to 13 News that there was an active law enforcement scene at the Taco Giro located at 2101 East Fry Boulevard.
13 News confirmed with employees at a nearby business that agents were at the Taco Giro located at 13160 Colossal Cave Road in the Vail area.
According to the Pinal Central, the Taco Giro in Casa Grande was also hit on Friday. The newspaper reported that several people were arrested at the restaurant located on East Cottonwood Lane.
According to documents from the Arizona Corporation Commission, Javier Ramos Mora is listed on the licenses for several Taco Ricos-related businesses in Pima, Cochise, and Maricopa counties.
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