Federal immigration agents executed multiple search warrants across Southern Arizona on Friday, including at Taco Giro on North Grande Avenue and several locations in Sierra Vista.
ICE says 46 people from Mexico were arrested for immigration violations as part of a broader investigation involving immigration and tax offenses.
Local agencies in Cochise County and Sierra Vista assisted federal teams, including at a home where several people barricaded themselves before being detained with less-lethal tools.
In Tucson, federal agents used chemical agents to clear a crowd, later requesting support from Tucson Police, who briefly shut down traffic but did not use force.
The situation drew political attention after Rep. Adelita Grijalva said she was pepper-sprayed while approaching agents.
Federal officials disputed her account as reactions continued from state and national leaders.
ICE says 16 warrants were served in total.
STATEMENTS FROM OFFICIALS:
UPDATE (8:05 p.m.):
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released the following statement:
“Thanks to President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Force, HSI Arizona facilitated the arrest of 46 illegal aliens who were arrested at several residences and restaurants in southern Arizona this morning. HSI Arizona conducted the operation with several law enforcement partners to include the IRS, ERO, U.S. Border Patrol.
As of now, those arrested for administrative immigration violations include:
46 – illegal aliens from Mexico
The Homeland Security Task Force, co-led by the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, is the first of its kind government task force that puts Americans first by coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to eradicate threats posed by transnational criminal organizations, cartels, and criminal illegal aliens. This is an ongoing investigation, information is limited.”
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 *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement. In fact, 2 law enforcement officers were seriously… https://t.co/U0zspIuGxQ
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) December 5, 2025
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UPDATE (6:05 p.m.):
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and the Sierra Vista Police Department released the following statement:
Earlier today, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Sierra Vista Police Department (SVPD) assisted federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigations in the service of two search warrants at residences in Sierra Vista.
The assistance was provided at the request of federal agents after a years-long criminal investigation into tax evasion and human smuggling activity culminated in the issuance of several search warrants throughout southern Arizona. Additionally, federal agents also served a search warrant on a local business in Sierra Vista related to the same case.
Officers serving a search warrant at one of the residences in Sierra Vista encountered several subjects barricaded inside the residence. Using less-lethal tools available to them, the subjects were taken into custody without injury.
“We work jointly as a team with our federal partners when criminal activity in our community is detected,” SVPD Chief Chris Hiser says. “Today we assisted our federal law enforcement partners in helping ensure community safety as the search warrants were executed.”
“Communities are best served when local, state, and federal law enforcement work collectively for the good of the people,” Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels says. “Today’s operation illustrates the great partnerships we share, reflecting a multi-badge collaboration.”
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UPDATE (3:05 p.m.):
The Tucson Police Department released the following statement:
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) served a federal search warrant at the Taco Giro located at 610 North Grande Avenue this morning. Federal tactical resources responded to extract federal investigative special agents from the area where community had gathered.
After deploying chemical munitions at this incident location, federal agents requested emergency support from the Tucson Police Department to assist in exiting the area. TPD Rapid Response Team (RRT) personnel responded to the location to support a safe and orderly environment. For a brief period, vehicle traffic on Grande Avenue was restricted to allow federal special agents to exit the area safely. The roadway was reopened soon after, and TPD personnel cleared the scene.
All TPD personnel involved in the response were in full TPD patrol (dark blue) uniforms. No detentions, arrests, munitions, or force was 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.
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UPDATE (2:40 p.m.):
The House Democratic leadership team released the following statement:
"This was a disgraceful and cowardly act by agents of a disgraceful and cowardly administration. Instead of working to bring down costs and making life more affordable, the lawless Trump administration is instead pepper spraying a member of Congress and leveling military level force against small businesses and working people. Congresswoman Grijalva was completely within her rights and duties to be present, to ask questions and to stand up for her community. Taxpayer-funded ICE employees responded with violence and aggression. This is unwarranted, un-American and unacceptable, and these agents and their superiors should be held accountable for their actions. "
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UPDATE (2:40 p.m.):
Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva released the following statement:
“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. 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?
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. 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.”
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
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
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UPDATE (1:44 p.m.):
Mayor Regina Romero issued a statement following today's searches:
"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.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency conducted search warrants at Taco Giro on North Grande Avenue. ICE served several warrants across numerous locations on Friday morning.
KGUN 9 reached out to ICE asking for confirmation of the search. An ICE spokesperson responded:
“Due to operational security, ICE does not confirm or discuss the existence or status of future operations. The agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate. As part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality."
ICE later returned with further details of the investigation explaining they are executing 16 search warrants across Southern Arizona alongside the IRS.
ICE said the warrants are related to immigration and tax violations.
There is no word on how many people were arrested, however ICE confirmed there were multiple.
KGUN 9 is continuing to track this story.
