Progressive Caucus Deputy Chair Ilhan Omar Condemns ICE Agents’ Physical Attacks on Congressmember Adelita Grijalva

WASHINGTON — Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Deputy Chair Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) released the following statement regarding agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using physical force against Rep. Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) when she conducted oversight into the due-process rights of her constituents affected by raids in her district: 

“I strongly condemn today’s disgusting display of violence against Congresswoman Grijalva, who was pepper-sprayed along with her staff and pushed aside by ICE agents as she asked questions about her community members being disappeared off the streets by ICE raids.

“We are in a dangerous moment for American democracy. ICE agents are continuing to act with lawlessness and impunity and are cheered on by the President of the United States. If they are allowed to intimidate, harass, and physically assault members of Congress for doing their jobs, no one is safe in this country.

“The Trump Administration is attacking the most basic liberties and freedoms Americans enjoy. Masked, armed, and often unidentified men now roam our neighborhoods, kidnap community members, and use undue force against those who might protest—including sitting lawmakers with the constitutional authority to conduct oversight into ICE’s practices. 

“We need an immediate Congressional investigation into these agents’ use of pepper spray and force against Representative Grijalva. And Congress must pass the Progressive Caucus’s legislative slate to rein in these abusive practices and restore accountability.” 

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