A woman in San Antonio, Texas, recorded the moment federal immigration officers detained her husband during an enforcement action, according to video circulating online.
In the footage, agents are seen restraining the man as he resists. Officers deploy pepper spray as the struggle escalates. The woman filming questions the arrest, asking why officers are taking her husband into custody.
An officer responds that the man is in the country illegally, prompting the woman to say he has a permit to work. The officer explains on camera that work authorization does not equal lawful immigration status, clarifying that employment permission alone does not make someone legally present in the United States.
ICE has long stated that individuals may possess work authorization while still lacking lawful status, depending on their immigration case. Authorities have not released additional details about the man’s identity, prior history, or whether additional charges may apply.
The incident has sparked online debate over immigration enforcement, resistance during arrests, and the distinction between work permits and legal status.
