Adelita Grijalva

What a drag: Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva says she tried to get federal funding for repairs at the Copper Queen Library in Bisbee, but Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee blocked it, Mia Kortright reports for the Tucson Sentinel. Grijalva says GOP lawmakers objected to the library hosting two events that featured drag in 2019 and 2024. She says the Republican majority is “now using their power to dictate what is acceptable in those spaces and — punishing communities when they don’t agree.” (May 12, 2026)

Swear it’s true this time: Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva was sworn into office yesterday after waiting seven weeks. Democrats are hopeful that with Grijalva, they will be able to release more “Epstein files.” Yesterday, House Democrats released emails written by Jeffrey Epstein that claimed Trump spent hours at Epstein’s house with one of his victims, per the New York Times. The emails went on to accuse Trump of knowing more about the abuse than he has claimed. Meanwhile, Republican Representative Lauren Boebert was summoned to the White House to discuss her role in signing the petition aimed at forcing a vote on a bill demanding the Justice Department release all of its investigative files on Epstein, per the Times. (November 13, 2025)

“A toothache shouldn’t be a death sentence”: Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva is taking federal immigration agencies to task for the death of Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian asylum seeker who died in a Florence detention center after a tooth got infected, Rafael Carranza reports for the Arizona Luminaria. Grijalva made an oversight visit to detention centers in Florence and Eloy last week. “These are mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters — people dying from simple, treatable ailments because they are being treated as less than human,” Grijalva said. (March 6, 2026)

From Southern Arizona to Iran: Republican U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani described President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran as “holding this dangerous regime accountable,” while Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva called the attack “completely reckless” and “blatantly unconstitutional.” And Arizona Daily Star columnist Tim Steller says he’s fed up with members of Congress like Ciscomani handing over their constitutional powers without a second thought. Beyond the political rhetoric, Southern Arizona has a deeper tie to the attack on Iran. Missiles made by Raytheon in Tucson, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, are being used by the U.S. military in Iran, KGUN’s Craig Smith reports. (March 4, 2026)

Trying to set a limit: After months of horrific reports from ICE detention centers, Democratic U.S. Reps. Adelita Grijalva, Yassamin Ansari and Greg Stanton are trying to set a 12-hour limit on how long people can be held at holding facilities like the one near the Mesa Gateway Airport. The trio visited the holding facility recently and called it a “failure of basic humanity” in a news release. “No one should be forced to sleep on concrete floors or share a toilet in full view of dozens of others, in confined spaces never meant for prolonged detention,” Grijalva said. “This bill restores commonsense limits, strengthens oversight, and makes clear that humane treatment is not optional — it’s the law.” (April 30, 2026)

Pushing back: The detention of Karla Toledo, a DACA recipient who was pulled from her home in Tucson by ICE agents, is stirring up opposition from high-profile Southern Arizona Democrats and progressive groups, per Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel. Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz, along with Scholarship A-Z, an advocacy group for DACA recipients in Arizona, have all condemned Toledo’s detention. Toledo’s parents say she doesn’t have a criminal record and she’s kept her DACA status up to date, the Arizona Daily Star’s Emily Bregel reports. Toledo was only a year old when her mother brought her from Sonora to Arizona. Local immigration advocates are highlighting Toledo’s detention as a sign that a new group of immigrants — those brought to the U.S. as children who have legal protection — is vulnerable to the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, Yana Kunichoff reports for the Arizona Luminaria. (May 21, 2026)

Casting a shadow: Dozens of people gathered in Marana on Tuesday to protest the planned immigration detention center there, KVOA’s John Macaluso reports. Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva and Pima County Supervisor Jen Allen were on hand, but the most poignant comments came from Brinley Carrillo, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation whose father was detained at Florence when she was a child. “There’s an entire community surrounding this detention center and everyone who is detained here, their families will only think of Marana as a detention center city and surrounding cities will see the effect of that. It’s a ripple effect of negativity and despair,” Carrillo said. (March 12, 2026)

Meanwhile, in DC: KGUN’s Denelle Veselik caught up with Southern Arizona’s representatives in Washington, where they detailed their ongoing projects. Republican U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani is jazzed about his bill to turn Chiricahua National Monument into a national park, which has already passed the House with bipartisan support. Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva is trying to bring home the bacon for a host of federally funded projects, including funding for transportation infrastructure and libraries. (March 25, 2026)

Back home: Karla Toledo, the DACA recipient whose arrest by ICE agents at her Tucson home drew a strong backlash last week, was released from custody on Friday, Mia Kortright and Mohinur Mannonova report for the Tucson Sentinel. Toledo was granted a $1,500 bond, which her lawyer Mo Goldman said was the lowest possible amount. "She has the critical job of helping recruit healthcare workers, pays her taxes and gives back to our community serving on local boards and through volunteer work," Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva said. "She is the complete opposite of the 'worst of the worst' that Trump claimed he would prioritize.” (May 26, 2026)

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis: Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva delivered remarks from a congressional field hearing in Minneapolis, where the city is still reeling from the death of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of an ICE officer. “What is happening in Minnesota is unfortunately all too familiar for Arizonans,” Grijalva said. “Arizona is no stranger to this fight. In 2010, the state passed SB1070 – the ‘show me your papers’ law. 1070 was one of the broadest, strictest laws of its kind at the time and it made Arizona a testing ground for racial profiling and cruel immigration policies – the very kind that we see implemented across the country today.” (January 20, 2026)

Nope: Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva retracted her endorsement of U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell in his run for California governor after he was accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer. Grijalva called the allegations “deeply disturbing and disqualifying.” Democratic U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego defended Swalwell, who is a longtime friend of his, when the accusations first surfaced, but Gallego eventually withdrew his endorsement, per the Republic’s Ronald J. Hansen. Swalwell suspended his campaign on Sunday, but he didn’t say anything about whether he planned to resign from Congress. (April 13, 2026)

Permission to kill: Demonstrations and vigils emerged nationwide on Wednesday night, including in downtown Tucson and in front of Phoenix’s ICE field office, after a federal agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva called for Congress to investigate the shooting and “(rein) in this lawless agency.” Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the ICE agent “did exactly what he’s been taught to do in that situation.” (January 9, 2026)

Grijalva (the sequel): As expected, Adelita Grijalva is set to take over the Southern Arizona congressional seat once held by her late father, Raúl, after receiving more than 68% of the vote in yesterday’s special election against Republican Daniel Butierez. If you played our “Know your Grijalva” quiz yesterday and are dying for some answers, you can find them here. (And stickers are coming! Give us a few days.) (September 24, 2025)

Promises mean nothing these days: Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is taking back his vow to swear in Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva next week, Wayne Schutsky reports for KJZZ. A day after Johnson said he would “immediately” swear in Grijalva when lawmakers returned to Congress, he designated the next week as a district work period — meaning the House will not be in session. Democrats have criticized the delay and questioned whether he’s doing it to prevent the release of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. (October 6, 2025)

Can’t unsee it: Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva went to ICE’s Dilley detention center in Texas to speak with immigrant families held there and highlight the “inhumane” conditions inside the detention center, where private prison company CoreCivic makes $15 million a month. She called the conditions “vile” and a “black eye for our nation.” (May 7, 2026)

Siri, how do we shut down a shutdown?: The government shutdown has reached its third week, with Republicans and Democrats still divided on how to reach a compromise to reopen the federal government. Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly now says a vote on extending healthcare subsidies alone will not be enough to reopen the government, per Politico. Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has postponed the return of the House yet again, per the Associated Press. Johnson has faced ongoing scrutiny from Democrats over the delay in swearing in Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva. “People are upset. I’m upset. I’m a very patient man, but I am angry right now,” Johnson said. “It’s on the Senate. They’re the ones playing games. All the questions need to be for them.” (October 14, 2025)

Slow and steady: Democrats are anxiously waiting for Democratic U.S. Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva to officially get sworn in to Congress, considering her vote could be the one that tips the release of the Epstein files, the Republic’s Laura Gersony writes. Democrats are accusing House Speaker Mike Johnson of delaying the swearing in for political reasons, but county and state officials haven’t even canvassed the election yet, and members of Congress are rarely sworn in until that happens — except in a few recent cases where it’s been politically advantageous for Republicans to expedite the process. Meanwhile, it’s not like members of Congress actually do much, KJZZ’s Camryn Sanchez reports based on an analysis of the Arizona congregation’s “batting average,” or number of bills filed versus signed into law. Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, for example, is 1-for-900 in his career of sponsoring federal bills. (September 29, 2025)

Case dismissed: The case against removing a 31-year-old DACA recipient Karla Toledo has been dismissed. Toledo had a hearing scheduled on Wednesday morning in Tucson immigration court, but the Department of Homeland Security filed a motion to dismiss her removal proceedings. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, who lobbied on behalf of Toledo, said she was “very happy for Karla and her family but ICE must be held accountable.” (June 4, 2026)

Let! Her! In!: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes followed through on her threats to sue the U.S. House for refusing to swear in Adelita Grijalva to her Southern Arizona congressional seat. Speaker Mike Johnson has refused the swearing-in because the House isn’t in “regular session,” but Mayes wrote in yesterday’s complaint that the delay is “to prevent (Grijalva) from signing a discharge petition that would force a vote on the release of the Epstein files and/or to strengthen his hand in the ongoing budget and appropriations negotiations.” (October 22, 2025)

Maybe this week: Attorney General Kris Mayes says she still plans to sue U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson over his refusal to swear in Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, even though the Friday deadline she had given has come and gone, the Republic’s Stacey Barchenger and Laura Gersony write. “It’s a publicity stunt by a Democrat Attorney General in Arizona who sees a national moment and wants to call me out,” Johnson told reporters Friday. (October 20, 2025)

Adelita Grijalva is set to become the first Latina ever elected to Congress from Arizona (Mel Leonor Barclay and Jessica Kutz / The 19th) (September 23, 2025)

Why just Tucson?: Tucson is going to lose its Indian Health Service’s Area Office as the Trump administration restructures the whole agency and folds the Tucson office into the Phoenix office, Nick Rommel reports for Arizona Public Media. Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, sent a letter asking the agency to push pause until officials explain why the Tucson office was the only one selected for closure. (June 3, 2026)

LOOKOUT basic liberals: LGBTQ+ voters in Southern Arizona have been raising questions about how Daniel Hernandez, an out gay man, used identity as a political platform, and whether his CD7 primary campaign actually represented the views most LGBTQ+ residents in the region hold, LOOKOUT’s Tori Gantz reports. A LOOKOUT review from April found LGBTQ+ residents favored more progressive ideas, like those of Adelita Grijalva and Deja Foxx. (September 25, 2025)

Not angry, just disappointed: Although it’s not legally required, it’s not a great look to run in a district that you don’t live in. But that’s what half the candidates in the Congressional District 7 race are doing, the Arizona Luminaria’s Becky Pallack and John Washington report. They dug through public records and found the three highest-profile Democratic candidates — Adelita Grijalva, Daniel Hernandez and Deja Foxx — all live in CD7, as does Democrat Jose Malvido. But Democrat Patrick Harris Sr. lives in Scottsdale. On the Republican side, only Daniel Butierez Sr. lives in the district. (June 18, 2025)

Small dollars and big names: Congressional District 7 Democratic candidate Deja Foxx launched her first TV ad on Tuesday, announcing she raised $400,000 since kicking off her campaign roughly three months ago. In a press release, Foxx said she has gotten more than 12,000 contributions to her campaign, but 99% of her supporters gave $200 or less.2 Meanwhile, Adelita Grijalva announced she had nabbed the endorsement of New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. (June 11, 2025)

Voting wrongs: Besides the threat of a lawsuit against Arizona’s political maps from Senate President Warren Petersen, last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision gutting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act will have longterm implications for Arizona’s map-making entity, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, Sasha Hupka writes for Votebeat. The decision makes it much harder to challenge maps as racially discriminatory, meaning Arizona’s “majority-minority” districts, like Southern Arizona’s CD7 and Phoenix’s CD3, represented by Democrats Adelita Grijalva and Yassamin Ansari, respectively, may not exist after the next round of redistricting in 2030. Same goes for legislative districts that give minority groups the opportunity to elect “representatives of their own choice.” “At the end of the day, this is going to be a really big story for Arizona in 2031,” Democratic consultant and redistricting nerd DJ Quinlan explained. (May 4, 2026)

Step right up: The list of third-tier candidates vying to take the seat of Congressman Raúl Grijalva is growing, but no big-name Democrats have been officially announced yet. As of Tuesday night, 13 candidates had filed statements of interest to run in Southern Arizona’s Congressional District 7, but not Adelita Grijalva or Adrian Fontes, though the rumor mill has both filing soon. Meanwhile, we’re already seeing polling in the Democratic primary to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert in CD1. Democrat Amish Shah, the 2024 nominee, is way ahead of Marlene Galán Woods, the third-place finisher in the crowded 2024 Democratic primary, per Shah’s own polling. As the Republic’s Laura Gersony recently noted, the 2026 Democratic primary in Schweikert’s district is looking like another crowded race. (March 19, 2025)

No chance to hide: When three Democratic members of Congress showed up unannounced at an ICE holding facility in Mesa, they came away saying the overcrowded conditions in the facility were “shocking,” “shameful” and people were packed in “like sardines,” Jerod MacDonald-Evoy reports for the Arizona Mirror. Democratic U.S. Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva decided to show up without warning after the Mirror reported last week that the number of detainees dropped right after two of the Democratic lawmakers gave the required seven-days notice for a planned visit. Then the number of detainees shot back up right after that first visit. At a different ICE facility in central Phoenix, the wife of a detainee says 33 men are crammed into a single cell and the food is so bad it’s making some detainees vomit, the Republic’s David Ulloa Jr and Daniel Gonzalez report. (April 13, 2026)

Deporting DACAs: As the DACA program hits its 14th anniversary, Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva and County Attorney Laura Conover are going to bat for a local DACA recipient who was arrested and faces deportation for allegedly stealing about $5,000 worth of makeup from a local Ulta Beauty store, KOLD’s Michael Cooper reports. Grijalva is calling on ICE to release Jessica Marlene Corrales-Duarte from a detention facility, noting she has not yet been convicted of a crime, and Conover is working to offer her a plea deal that would “mitigate harsh immigration consequences, secure accountability, and make whole the victim.” “Here, unfortunately, ICE has taken custody of the individual under the framework set up in the Laken Riley Act,” Conover said. “Just as I predicted when I strenuously campaigned against this Act, the attempt to deport the individual under an allegation alone (not a conviction) deprives the individual of due process and deprives the State of its work of making victims whole again.” (June 17, 2026)

A reprieve, reversed: Tucson DACA recipient Karla Toledo is facing renewed removal proceedings after immigration officials refiled charges they had previously dismissed, the Arizona Daily Star’s Emily Bregel reports. Local officials, including Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, joined Toledo at a press conference Monday to announce the renewed legal fight. (June 24, 2026)