Danny Trejo is pushing back against criticism over his role in Pawn Shop, an upcoming Daily Wire film centered on immigration enforcement, urging that his involvement shouldn’t be taken as support for ICE.
“I am also obviously pro-immigrant. I am not pro ICE,” Trejo said Friday while addressing the backlash. He added, “I know where I come from and I know our struggles.” In a separate statement, the Machete star described himself as “a proud Mexican” and said, “I am an actor. My job is to tell a story.”
Trejo reportedly plays the owner of the titular Minneapolis pawn shop, a military veteran whose family has operated the business for generations. According to the film’s premise, an ICE agent takes shelter there while attempting to escape a mob amid unrest surrounding an immigration arrest. The Daily Wire is producing the film with Bonfire Legend, and Ben Shapiro has openly described the project as pro-ICE.
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The production is already awash in controversy. Filming in Livingston, Montana, was temporarily halted after residents complained about street closures, simulated gunfire, disruptions to a local food pantry, and a filmed sequence that appeared to echo the January killing of Renée Good. The permit was later reinstated with additional conditions governing noise, violent scenes, and public access.
Trejo’s casting drew particular attention because of his long public identification with his Mexican-American heritage and immigrant community. A source connected to the production told TMZ that the actor was drawn to the role because it offered a positive portrayal of a Latino veteran.
Pawn Shop also reportedly Harvey Keitel and Henry Thomas. A release date has not yet been announced.
