Immigrant father of three Marines is violently detained, injured by federal agents, son says

Published On: June 25, 2025

Alejandro Barranco finds it unpleasant to watch the widely shared video of a landscaper in Orange County being pulled down, pinned, and violently punched by masked federal officers.

The Marine veteran claims that on Saturday, a group of masked males approached his father, Narciso Barranco, who was working outside of an IHOP in Santa Ana. He started to flee in fear, according to his son. The men hit him, and a few seconds later he was on the ground, held down.

On Sunday, the younger Barranco said that his father had been beaten and pepper sprayed, and that his shoulder had been dislocated. Speaking with him Sunday at around 6 p.m., Barranco revealed that his father had been in a Los Angeles detention center for more than 24 hours without food, water, or medical attention.

Regarding the use of force against his father, Barranco stated, “I don’t think it was just, I don’t think it was fair.” To hold down a 5-6 or 5-7, 150-pound guy, I don’t think they need four people weighing 200 pounds or more.

The Times’ request for comment was not immediately answered by the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A GoFundMe was established to assist with legal representation after the video of Barranco’s meeting with immigration officials went viral on social media, causing indignation. As of Sunday night, the GoFundMe had raised over $48,000.

According to his son, the 48-year-old is a good man and a diligent landscaper. He claimed that he was always available to help anyone who needed it. He has a great reputation in our town.

Barranco was more focused on his work than his injuries when he called his kid for the first time following his detention. According to the younger Barranco, he asked him to talk to his client and complete the task after telling him where his truck and equipment were.

Emanuel and Jos Luis Barranco, his two younger brothers, are active-duty members, while Alejandro Barranco, 25, is a veteran of the U.S. Marines.

Barranco acknowledged that many of his fellow Marines are merely carrying out orders, as 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms were deployed in Los Angeles following protests over recent immigration sweeps.

Barranco stated, “I just know that… they also have mixed feelings about everything going on.” I am certain that they love their parents and their illegal family members, but I also know that they love their country and want to serve it.

He stated, “I’m fairly certain that we’re all advocating for the same thing, which is a modification to our system.”