Danny Trejo has issued his first statement since facing backlash for starring in the pro-ICE Daily Wire movie “Pawn Shop” from Ben Shapiro‘s production company.

“I am a proud Mexican who has always been and will always be a supporter of my community. I am also obviously pro-immigrant. I am not pro-ICE,” the “Spy Kids” actor told TMZ.

“I know where I come from and I know our struggles,” he added, “I am an actor. My job is to tell a story.” TMZ reported that Trejo had told people on set that he was attracted to the role because it was a positive depiction of a Latino who is also a veteran.

The production was shut down in Livingston, Montana last Saturday when locals complained about the production’s impact on the Livingston food bank and improper warnings about hazardous stunts. Production resumed Monday, with political commentator Shapiro slamming the shutdown as “content discrimination” and “a violation of the First Amendment.”

One scene that was captured on video by TMZ appeared to recreate the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good. Harvey Keitel co-stars as a fellow veteran hired by Trejo’s character to work at the pawn shop.

The logline for the film reads: “When a Minneapolis riot forces a young ICE officer to complete a high-stakes arrest alone after his partner is killed, he is hunted through the streets by a furious mob intent on freeing the prisoner and punishing anyone who still upholds the law. Barricaded inside a neighborhood pawn shop with a hard-edged Hispanic veteran and the man’s progressive college-age grandson, ordinary men must choose between the rule of law and the chaos that wants to burn it all down in a modern siege of honor and defiance.”

Trejo’s rep confirmed his statements but had no further comment.