California Man Freed After Detainment Sparks Outcry
In a dramatic turn of events, Narciso Barranco, an undocumented immigrant and father of three Marines, was released from federal detention after a significant public outcry. His arrest last month outside a California IHOP drew considerable attention, especially after a video of the incident went viral.
Barranco, 48, spent over three weeks in the Adelanto Detention Center before being released on a $3,000 bond. His release followed advocacy efforts from lawmakers and his son, Alejandro Barranco, a Marine veteran. Alejandro, who served in Afghanistan, expressed disbelief upon seeing the video of his father being beaten by immigration agents. “The fact that he was hurt, the way he was injured, the way he was beat[en] and I’d say humiliated — it made me angry and it made me want to speak up,” Alejandro told Military.com.
Following his release, Narciso Barranco reunited with his family, sharing emotional moments and a meal at In-N-Out Burger. Alejandro described his father’s release as “a win for sure” and noted that his father is now doing better.
The incident coincides with President Donald Trump’s intensified deportation efforts, which have included tripling ICE arrest quotas. This policy has affected the military community, with family members of service members facing detention. The Marine Corps, in particular, has strengthened ties with federal immigration authorities, deploying troops to support ICE operations and collaborating on security measures at its bases.
Narciso Barranco’s detention was particularly challenging for his family, given the Marine Corps’ close association with immigration enforcement agencies. Alejandro acknowledged the difficulty, stating that his brothers, active-duty Marines, received support from their superiors. “It’s definitely hard,” he said, adding that the orders come from high up, beyond their control.
Despite the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) claim that Narciso assaulted agents with a weed-wacker, Alejandro disputes this, stating that his father was unarmed and attempting to flee when pepper-sprayed. DHS has not provided evidence of a criminal record, and searches revealed none. The department’s assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, defended the agents’ actions, asserting they used “the minimum amount of force necessary.”
During his detention, Narciso reportedly endured harsh conditions, including a lack of water for 14 hours and malfunctioning plumbing. Alejandro highlighted that his father met others in similar predicaments, describing their treatment as unfair.
The Barranco family sought to utilize the parole-in-place policy, which allows undocumented family members of military personnel to stay in the U.S. temporarily. However, bureaucratic challenges and military commitments complicated their efforts. The Marine Corps had previously instructed recruiters to downplay this policy in their outreach.
Currently, Narciso is progressing through the parole-in-place program, with assistance from lawyers potentially expediting the process. Alejandro plans to continue advocating for his father and others in similar situations, using the knowledge he has gained to assist those navigating the complex immigration system.
