Landscaper with three Marine sons violently detained in Santa Ana; DHS alleges assault without evidence

Early Saturday morning, 48-year-old undocumented landscaper Narciso Barranco was allegedly operating a weedwhacker near the intersection of Edinger and Ritchey Street in Santa Ana when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents approached him. Barranco, who has no known criminal record, was detained in a violent encounter captured by multiple bystanders on video.

The Santanero broke the story roughly eight hours after Narciso was detained and came in contact with 25-year old Marine veteran Alejandro Barranco, eldest of three Marine sons, who served in the Middle East and was part of the final evacuation flights from Kabul. The Santanero put journalism aside for a moment and instead offered resources to him as the first 24-hours are critical for any detainee.

Narciso has two other sons in the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton. Alejandro told The Santanero on Sunday his father had been in the United States since the 1990's.

The Santanero obtained four different angles of the incident recorded by drivers caught in traffic nearby.

The videos show Barranco running with his weedwhacker in hand. At one point, he tries to enter someone’s car to avoid apprehension. Alejandro said his father likely fled in fear, as reports of agents not identifying themselves and wearing threatening tactical gear continue to ravage the community.

"I do believe my father was racially profiled—they didn’t ask him anything. They just started chasing him, and he ran because he was scared. He didn’t know who was after him," Alejandro said.

As Barranco fled, the weedwhacker appeared to become harder for him to balance and moved toward an agent, but never struck. One agent used mace or pepperspray to stop Narciso.

Eventually, agents tackled him from behind, pinning him to the ground. In one video, four to five husky-sized agents restrained him, and one is seen throwing several blows while Barranco lay pinned beneath nearly 1,000 pounds of flesh and tactical gear on top of him.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the Associated Press on Monday claiming Barranco “swung at an agent’s face” before running into the intersection. The Santanero, however, has seen no video supporting that claim, and DHS has provided no evidence to back it up as of press.

DHS also took to Twitter on Monday pushing unsubstantiated claims that agents were assaulted, adding the media is portraying the arrest as "slanted."

Barranco was eventually forced into a vehicle and managed to call Alejandro briefly. Later, from the Los Angeles detention center—where calls cost $50 for five minutes—he told his family he was “in pain,” hadn’t eaten, and believed his shoulder was dislocated. DHS later told the Los Angeles Times on Monday that medical aid was offered and refused, but the family disputes that.

The Santanero sent a list of questions to DHS on Monday, but a response has not been received as of press time.

“He has always worked hard to put food on the table for us and my mom,” said Alejandro. “He was always careful and always did his taxes on time. He never caused any problems and he is known as a kind and helping person by everyone in our community. Our parents raised us to be good people, be humble, and love this country."

In a costly brief phone call from the Los Angeles detention facility, Narciso humbly asked Alejandro to ensure his job was completed and didn't leave a mess.

“He’s worried about his work," Alejandro said. "Can you believe that? Everything going on and he’s asking me if I could go finish the job he was doing when he got detained.”

Narciso has received an outpouring of community support, with many offering character testimony describing him as kind, responsible, and hardworking. Despite that, the Barranco family was denied visitation on Monday due to the detention facility’s limited 1–4 PM visiting window, which allows only one family at a time.

A GoFundMe page launched Saturday afternoon by a trusted family friend has raised nearly $150,000 to help cover legal fees, medical expenses, and preparations for potential deportation. Among the top donors include Uruguayan-American activist and TikTok creator Carlos Eduardo Espina who donated $5,000 and what is believed to be Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez, resonating with Barranco story both were born in Mexico, donating $600.

“None of this is right,” Alejandro said.

Before his arrest, Alejandro confirmed the family had already begun the Parole in Place (PIP) citizenship process for Narciso, but immigration attorneys warned them that such applications can take years, cost thousands, and could even raise a red flag with federal authorities, increasing the risk of deportation.

Alejandro said that wasn't an option for his father who works sun up to sun down every day of the week as he prioritized providing for his family.

When The Santanero asked Alejandro what he would say to his father if he were with him now, he responded:

I would tell him I’m sorry for the way the country you’ve given your children to is treating you. You don’t deserve any of this but there will be a change.

— Alejandro Barranco

The family has hired an attorney and standing behind them is a growing army of neighbors, friends, in solidarity.

Leaders respond

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office also responded. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, Deputy Director of Communications, gave The Santanero this statement:

This is Donald Trump’s America, where federal immigration agents are so desperate to fulfill Stephen Miller’s arrest quota that they go after a father with no criminal history, who has lived in the U.S. for decades, successfully raising three marines serving our nation.

— Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA)

Congressman Lou Correa's (D-46) office contacted The Santanero over the weekend and connected him with Alejandro's family to offer support and resources. He reposted The Santanero's breaking news post, adding his disappointment to see what unfolded Saturday.

Mayor Valerie Amezcua spoke in an Instagram reel posted to her social media Sunday evening, marking a stronger tone, telling ICE to come correct or get out of Santa Ana.

“They are not here to protect us and to serve,” she said. “These agents are here to hurt us.” However she said that while people may claims she’s taking a stronger position this time around given a heavy amount of heat from Santaneros during a recent council meeting, she said it’s always been the same intent.

“If you’re gonna do it ICE agents, do it the right way, otherwise get out of our city.” Amezcua said.

Councilmember Jessie Lopez expressed her frustration on social media as well.

Councilmember David Penaloza on Instagram would tag Young Kim in his stories, marking her silence and apparent absence on the issue.

"This family is a great example of how our people love this Country, how we fight for this Country, and how this Country still throws away its best if they are Black or Brown," Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez said on Instagram. "We need to realize, this is an attack on Brown people, Immigrants, Working families, and our Parents! We need to continue to stand up against the terror ICE is committing in our communities by filming them and helping our families stay together."

Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento's office also asked The Santanero on Monday to forward the supervisor's support and resources available for Alejandro and his family.

The Santanero is aware of other local leaders responding to the news, but is currently attempting to add them at this time.

This is a developing story.