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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Did Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva obstruct federal officers conducting a Tucson raid?

Tallulah Anne, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
no

Video footage shows Grijalva being pepper-sprayed by federal agents conducting a raid at a Tucson restaurant despite identifying herself as a member of Congress. The footage does not show her physically interfering  with officers or trying to block their actions, which is illegal under both state and federal law.

Grijalva has not been arrested, charged or investigated for obstructing law enforcement based on her actions outside the raid. In a statement, the Democrat said she acted “to use her legal authority and constitutional duty to obtain pertinent facts, observe policies, and conduct oversight.”  

Legal experts have said members of Congress can observe certain federal operations as long as they do not physically intervene.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

  • DHS agents pepper-spray Rep. Grijalva, Sentinel reporter during protest sparked by Tucson raid, Tucson Sentinel
  • 13-2402. Obstructing governmental operations; classification, Arizona State Legislature
  • Arizona’s Congresswoman Grijalva says she was pepper sprayed during Tucson ICE raid, AZ Mirror

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The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting is the state’s only independent, nonpartisan and collaborative nonprofit newsroom dedicated to statewide, data-driven investigative reporting. AZCIR's mission is to hold powerful people and institutions accountable by exposing injustice and systemic inequities through investigative journalism.

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