A shocking incident in Santa Ana, California, has ignited national outrage after Narciso Barranco, an undocumented immigrant and the father of three U.S. Marines, was violently detained by immigration authorities. The arrest, which took place on June 21, 2025, outside an IHOP restaurant, was captured on video and widely shared online—showing Border Patrol agents tackling, pepper-spraying, and striking Barranco as he lay pinned to the ground.
The images sparked immediate backlash, with many questioning the use of force against a nonviolent individual with strong ties to the U.S. military.
🎥 Viral Video, Conflicting Accounts
Footage shows Barranco holding a weed trimmer, then running as agents approached in tactical gear. Seconds later, he was restrained and appeared to be hit repeatedly. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated Barranco resisted arrest and “wielded the trimmer as a weapon,” justifying the agents’ actions as “measured and necessary.”
However, Barranco’s son Alejandro, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan, strongly disagrees. He claims his father never threatened anyone, was unarmed, and was treated like a criminal despite having no violent history or charges. “They beat him while he was down. He’s a landscaper, not a threat,” Alejandro told reporters.
👨‍👦 A Military Family Targeted
The emotional weight of the story stems from Barranco’s family background: three of his sons have served in the U.S. Marines. Alejandro expressed his deep sense of betrayal, saying, “My father gave this country his sons, and this is how he’s treated?” He also reported that his father may have suffered a dislocated shoulder during the arrest and was denied medical care while in custody.
This incident adds to growing concerns about how immigration enforcement affects families with U.S. military service members—a group once considered off-limits by policy and tradition.
🗣️ Public Response and Legal Action
In response to public outcry, Santa Ana city officials have called for an immediate investigation. A GoFundMe campaign to support Barranco’s legal defense has already raised over $40,000, as thousands across the country voice their support for the family.
Immigration rights groups are demanding a review of the tactics used and whether federal agents followed protocol and proportionality standards.
🔍 Key Takeaways
-
Â
-
Narciso Barranco, father of three U.S. Marines, was violently arrested by ICE agents in California.
-
Video footage shows agents using force; officials say he resisted arrest with a weed trimmer.
-
Family members deny the claim, calling the force excessive and unjustified.
-
The case has sparked national attention due to the family’s military service background.
-
Legal and civil rights organizations are calling for full accountability and reform.
Â
Â
Â
Â
