SAN DIEGO — A U.S. Marine Corps veteran expressed outrage after witnessing a video of his father, a landscaper in Southern California, being allegedly beaten by masked U.S. Border Patrol officers during an immigration arrest. The incident, which occurred on Saturday in Santa Ana, has added fuel to the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
The arrest of Narciso Barranco, who immigrated from Mexico in the 1990s and lacks legal status, was captured in various videos uploaded by witnesses. These videos, however, do not show the entire sequence of events, leaving room for differing narratives from those involved.
Alejandro Barranco, the son of the detained landscaper, waited outside a Los Angeles federal immigration detention center on Monday, hoping to see his father. Despite waiting for over three hours, he was unable to meet him as facility staff struggled to locate his father before visitation hours ended. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Narciso Barranco is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Conflicting Accounts and Family Reactions
According to Alejandro, his father called him on Sunday, expressing distress and pain from the incident. “He just started crying,” Alejandro recounted. The Department of Homeland Security, however, provided a different account, stating that Barranco had refused to comply with commands and swung a weed trimmer at an agent. The agency defended the actions of the officers, stating they used the minimum necessary force to ensure public and officer safety.
Alejandro Barranco, who served in the U.S. military and was involved in the evacuation of personnel from Afghanistan in 2021, criticized the handling of the situation. “It’s uncalled for, not appropriate or professional,” he stated, adding that his father is a kind and hardworking individual with no criminal record.
“It looks like he’s putting up resistance on the ground, but that’s a natural human reaction,” Alejandro said. “I think anybody would do that to defend themselves when they are being beaten.”
Public and Official Responses
The arrest has prompted calls for an investigation. Santa Ana City Council member Johnathan Hernandez expressed his concern, stating, “I found the video to be horrifying.” Meanwhile, federal authorities have noted an increase in interference with arrests, which they claim endangers agents. In response, President Trump has deployed the California National Guard and Marines to protect federal officers and buildings in Los Angeles.
DHS released a video showing Barranco running with the trimmer, allegedly raising it towards an agent. The footage shows an agent using pepper spray, after which Barranco reportedly moved the trimmer defensively. Another video captures Barranco attempting to evade capture by crossing a busy intersection, ultimately being tackled by agents.
Implications for Immigration Policy
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and community relations. The Barranco family, with three sons who served in the U.S. military, represents a complex narrative of immigrants contributing to national security while facing personal legal challenges.
“We joined the Marine Corps because we love our country and want to give back,” Alejandro explained. “Our parents taught us to be appreciative, be thankful of our country, about being patriots.”
Narciso Barranco had been concerned about potential arrest by immigration officials but had not addressed his legal status due to his focus on his landscaping business. Alejandro shared that his father’s first concern post-arrest was for his clients, ensuring no disruption to their service.
This incident underscores the broader issues of immigration policy and enforcement practices, raising questions about the balance between national security and humane treatment of individuals. As the investigation unfolds, the Barranco family’s experience may influence future discussions on immigration reform and law enforcement accountability.
