The ongoing alarm over a December federal immigration raid in Tucson continued Friday as Democratic members of Arizona’s congressional delegation requested a formal congressional investigation into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s conduct during a Tucson operation.
The letter raises concern about federal agents pepper spraying Arizona’s newly seated Rep. Adelita Grijalva amid the chaotic stand-off. That action shows a pattern of abusive practices by federal agents, the letter notes.
“No community should be subjected to federal enforcement tactics that undermine or erode public safety in favor of intimidation. No journalist should be pepper-sprayed for documenting public conduct. And no Member of Congress should be obstructed, physically pushed aside, or exposed to chemical agents while performing legitimate oversight functions on behalf of their Constituents,” the letter states.
The letter was signed by Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego and Reps. Grijalva, Greg Stanton and Yassamin Ansari.
The lawmakers asked the House and Senate to open a formal investigation, “specifically a review of the Department’s use-of-force decisions and interactions with a sitting Member of Congress, journalists, and community members.”
It also requests the department produce video and other evidence from the incident, review policies about use of chemical agents, hold a public hearing and issue recommendations.
Videos and accounts from journalists show Grijalva in the crowd as an agent deploys a chemical spray in the area.
“I was here, this is the restaurant I come to literally once a week. And was sprayed in the face. By a very aggressive agent. Pushed around by others when I was literally not being aggressive — I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of congress,” she said in a video posted on social media.
Federal officials have denied that Grijalva was pepper sprayed, saying agents with Homeland Security Investigations were targeting multiple Tucson restaurants as part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax violations. Several warrants were served across Southern Arizona on Dec. 5 as part of the operation.
In a statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the group gathered in Tucson as a mob, according to the Associated Press. She said two agents were seriously injured during the clash and took issue with Grijalva’s account.
“If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel. But they’re not true. She wasn’t pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who (asterisk)was(asterisk) pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement,” McLaughlin wrote. “Presenting one’s self as a ‘Member of Congress’ doesn’t give you the right to obstruct law enforcement.”
The letter comes amid increased scrutiny of federal immigration tactics nationwide and follows similar clashes between agents, community members, elected officials and journalists in other cities.
Includes information from The Associated Press
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