TUCSON, Ariz. – Recent federal raids executed across southern Arizona have ignited significant concern among community members. Various federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the IRS, carried out 16 search warrants, leading to at least 46 arrests at homes and multiple Taco Giro locations.
Chaos unfolded on Friday, especially at a Taco Giro outlet on North Grande Avenue, where protests erupted in response to the raids. Federal agents reportedly deployed tear gas, pepper balls, and flash bang grenades to control the protestors, with video evidence showing agents using pepper spray on demonstrators.
One witness, Chava, recounted the turmoil as she rushed to the Taco Giro restaurant after learning her partner had been taken into custody during the operation in Barrio Hollywood. Chava, who chose to keep her last name private, described the moments of fear and confusion as people screamed and ran amid the chaos.
“For almost a full 24 hours, we did not know where he was, where he had been taken. The last thing that I saw was that he was thrown into an unmarked van by masked men,” she said. Her partner was eventually located and held overnight at the Florence Correctional Complex, an immigration detention facility located over 60 miles away.
According to an ICE spokesperson, the individuals arrested were suspected of being in the U.S. unlawfully, although it remains unclear if Chava’s partner was among them. The raids have prompted community members to gather in solidarity, voicing their concerns and experiences. Gerald Montag, a local veteran, shared that he was also affected as he was maced while protesting outside the ICE building.
Montag criticized the focus of the raids, suggesting that while there could be justified actions against serious offenders, these operations seem to target those merely trying to earn a living. “One of the ICE agents walked up, reached through the gate with bear spray, and maced a few of us,” he explained, reflecting his frustration with the situation.
Community leaders and concerned residents expressed their strong feelings regarding ICE’s presence in Tucson. Chava emphasized that the local community views the agency’s actions as threats to their neighbors and loved ones, urging clarity on the agency’s intentions in the area.
The gatherings for discussion and support highlight the community’s willingness to address these significant issues openly. Safety and privacy were prioritized during these meetings, with organizers opting to restrict media coverage of participants.
As the situation unfolds, it underscores the community’s resilience and willingness to stand together in the face of federal actions that many feel are misaligned with local values.