'Tell me if juicy ICE coming': US Rep Boebert draws backlash over 'Mexican woman' costumes; stirs row

US Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has sparked a controversy after she attended a Halloween party in Colorado dressed as a Mexican woman, while her boyfriend Kyle Pearcy wore an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vest over military-style fatigues, ABC News reported.

The duo attended a Halloween party in Loveland, Colorado, on Friday night, where photos obtained by ABC News showed Boebert wearing a traditional Mexican dress paired with a sombrero. Pearcy’s ICE attire appeared to complement her costume, which many have described as 'racially insensitive'.

Adding to the controversy, a chalkboard sign seen at another public event the couple attended the same night, images of which are circulating widely online, featured a phrase that read: “Mexican Word of the Day: Juicy. Tell me if juicy ICE coming,” a pun on “Tell me if you see ICE coming,” referencing the US immigration enforcement agency.


The sign and costumes have sparked outrage online and within the local Latino community. Stacy Suniga, president of the Latino Coalition of Weld County, said, “She should be ashamed of herself. Though I believe she is incapable of any emotion that generates human decency. Her bigotry and ignorance are clearly evident in her chosen apparel this day", reported The Denver Post.

One person who attended the party told ABC News the display was “the most disgusting thing I have ever seen,” adding that “even the conservatives (at the party) were in shock. People avoided them.”

The incident has drawn sharp criticism online, with many accusing Boebert of perpetuating racial stereotypes. The Republican lawmaker, who has faced previous controversies over her public conduct, has not issued any further comment on the matter.

In response to the criticism, Boebert’s office told ABC news, “It’s a Halloween costume,” the statement read. “Tell our Senators to vote for the CR and open the government. They are choosing to let millions of American families suffer”, dismissing the backlash as an overreaction.

Boebert represents parts of Weld County in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, which, according to the Colorado Redistricting Commission, had about 14% Latino residents as of the 2020 census the lowest among the state’s eight congressional districts, reported The Denver Post.

The Republican lawmaker has previously courted controversy for remarks and behaviour that drew public criticism and at times led to apologies.