Texas Mechanic Pepper-Sprayed After Customer Allegedly Calls ICE to Avoid Payment, Video Goes Viral

A Texas man allegedly reported an auto mechanic to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in order to avoid paying him. According to the mechanic’s daughter, Dallas native Don Brunson had his car repaired by her father.

However, when it came time to pay for the service, Brunson reportedly called ICE, leading to the man’s detention. The mechanic's identity and legal status have not yet been disclosed. His daughter captured the whole incident on her phone and posted the video on social media.

The clip, which is now going viral, shows ICE agents pepper-spraying the already handcuffed man before shoving him into the backseat of their vehicle. Brunson, who owns a construction company, is also seen in the clip engaging in a brief exchange with the man’s children.

The video has sparked outrage on X, with many criticizing Brunson for weaponizing a federal system for his own benefit. “This is absolutely disgusting behavior. and the fact so many MAGA are supporting this s—. this is horrendous. im ashamed to even be considered an American. This is absolutely horrible,” one person wrote.

Another expressed, “This is beyond disgusting. People are literally weaponizing immigration enforcement to avoid paying workers after benefiting from their labor. Didn’t we already see something similar with that Maryland roofing case? At some point this stops being “politics” and starts looking like exploitation and abuse of power.”

A third individual pointed out that even legal immigrants would need to be highly cautious while rendering services to customers. “First, second, and even third-generation immigrants are going to need to start screening their customers before providing them their services. I would. If you asked for my services, I'd look you up on Facebook, and if I see anything MAGA, I'd refuse. I wouldn't take that risk,” they wrote.

One person also highlighted the plight of the mechanic and penned, “Can't even imagine how it feels to be handcuffed, pepper-sprayed, shoved into the back of a squad car like a man who had a warrant out for their arrest for 1st degree murder! Who IMO are probably treated better. These people are humans and don't deserve this treatment!”

Earlier in February, another immigrant mechanic was arrested after being asked to repair a vehicle. At the time, some people outside Jesus Flores’s house near Minneapolis pretended to have trouble with their car. According to Flores’s family, he was lured outside as he wanted to help those people.

However, as soon as he reached the street and began examining the car, two ICE vehicles pulled over. Flores attempted to run back into his home, but was apprehended by the agents. The father of six was then sent to a detention center in El Paso, Texas.

Flores’s son, Miguel, talked about the situation in an interview with CBS News and said, “[They] tricked him into coming outside. My dad's a hard-working individual. He came here to give us a better life. He has done that.”