Rep. Adelita Grijalva responds to ICE detaining Tucson woman outside county courthouse

U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva spoke out Tuesday against the detention of a longtime Tucson resident by federal immigration agents outside a southern Arizona courthouse.

The statement from the Tucson democrat followed reports that a 45-year-old mother of three was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers shortly after leaving a hearing at the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court.

“I am deeply troubled by reports that a longtime Tucson resident and mother of three was detained by ICE agents after leaving a municipal court hearing for an unrelated matter,” Grijalva said in a statement. “These tactics are completely unacceptable, cruel and only serve to erode trust and undermine community safety.”

The woman, identified by her family as “Ana,” has lived in the United States since she was 4 years old and has three adult children who are U.S. citizens, according to reporting by the Arizona Daily Star. Her family told the newspaper that masked ICE agents surrounded and handcuffed her after a hearing regarding a noise ordinance violation.

Grijalva urged federal lawmakers to enact stricter rules regarding where immigration enforcement operations can take place.

“Congress must pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act to ensure courthouses, schools, hospitals and other essential community spaces remain safe and accessible,” Grijalva said. “When people fear they may be detained for showing up to court, seeking medical care or taking their children to school, everyone is less safe.”

The arrest raised questions over whether ICE agents violated a Pima County Board of Supervisors resolution passed in February that restricts civil immigration enforcement on county-owned property without a judicial warrant.

Grijalva said her office is in touch with the family and is working to provide assistance.

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