Attorney Lisa Ramirez, Narciso Barranco and his wife on July 25
Narciso Barranco walked down the steps of the Old County Courthouse Friday morning with his wife and supporters ready to face the cameras.
Narciso Barranco, (second from right) and his three sons
This humble landscaper from Tustin has been thrust into the national spotlight after a violent arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on June 21 went viral on social media. The video showed the 48-year-old Barranco pepper-sprayed and then beaten as he was held face down in the street. It is evident that ICE agents driving by a Santa Ana business park saw Barranco trimming a shrub and regarded him as a target of opportunity. This sparked a protest against ICE and for the release of Nariciso Barranco, On June 27, his son Alejandro Barranco spoke at a candlelight vigil to peacefully protest ICE and gather as a community.
According to Public Counsel, on July 11, 2025 a federal court found that the federal government’s ongoing immigration raids in Southern California and its denial of access to counsel for arrested immigrants likely violated the Constitution, and issued two temporary restraining orders (TRO) prohibiting the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), from continuing its unlawful actions in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. For more on Vasquez-Perdomo v. Noem, click here.
Detention in squalid, overcrowded conditions followed but so did a powerful mobilization of community and legal support to arrange bail for Barranco – a man who had lived in the U.S. for decades, raised three American sons and had no criminal record.
Barranco and supporters at July 25 2025 Press Conference
After a tough legal fight, Barranco was released on bond last week. On Friday, July 25 he spoke publicly for the first time about his ordeal. “To the community, I don’t have the words to truly express what I feel in my heart,” Barranco said in Spanish. “So I can just say thank you for standing with my family and my children, for not leaving them alone.”
“As soft-spoken as he was, as gentle and as understated, he spoke with such emotion trying to tell the story of not just him, his family, but others he was with at the Adenanto Detention Center,” said Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. “He realizes he’s now the voice of thousands of people who are going to have the same experience that his family is having to endure.”
Lisa Ramirez, Barranco’s attorney
In almost every way, Narciso Barranco represents the classic American immigration story repeated millions of times since before the country was founded. He came to the U.S. 30 years ago for a chance at a better life. He worked very hard, married, and taught his three sons to love their country. Barranco couldn’t have been prouder when they chose to become U.S. Marines. Two are still on active duty.
“Access to legal representation is critical. Bond is critical. And it’s become more and more difficult as facilities are being constructed and located far away from where families are available for support and where there aren’t any legal representation options available,” said Lisa Ramirez Barranco’s attorney. “So when we think about the impact of family separation, detention, the lack of due process in expediting individuals’ removal from this country, it not only impacts the immigrant. It impacts the family that is left behind.”
The systemic aspects of exploitation run much deeper than illegal arrests and deportations. According to immigration studies, the U.S. labor market remains strong even with the inclusion of an estimated 11 million undocumented workers. Removing these workers creates a labor shortage.
Sergio Perez, Executive Director for the Center of Human Rights and Constitutional Law.
Efforts to legalize undocumented workers like Narciso have failed due to a lack of political will or outright political sabotage. That’s what happened to a bipartisan Comprehensive Reform package passed by the Senate in 2013. The Republican House majority, then led by Rep. John Boehner, refused to bring the bill to the floor. If enacted, the bill would have made it possible for many undocumented immigrants to gain legal status and eventually citizenship. Reform would have gone a long way toward reconciling a central conflict in American life – we are a country that willingly and knowingly hires and exploits undocumented workers and now blames only the worker for the offense.
So life in the shadows continues for undocumented workers and foreign-born children brought here through no fault of their own. In California, where so many undocumented workers reside, the economy has now become the world’s fourth-largest.
Barranco and his family are now up against a powerful deportation machine led by President Trump and the DHS – America’s largest federal law enforcement agency.
At Friday’s press conference, Barranco became the most emotional when making a plea to the government on behalf of his cellmates – honest, hardworking immigrants just like him.
“To the government, I respectfully ask that you please grant them bail. Don’t take away the chance for these families to be reunited.”
Sandra De Anda, director of policy and legal strategy for the OC Rapid Response Network. OCRRN was able to pull together Narciso Barranco’s defense team.
OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento
Narciso Barranco thanked the community for standing with his family.
The candlelight on June 27, 2025.
The Barranco Family and the Orange County Rapid Response Network organized a candlelight vigil to honor Narciso Barranco, who was violently arrested on June 21 in Santa Ana. The immigrant community across California and the U.S. has been living under extreme stress, and this gathering marked the beginning of their healing process. The vigil served as a space for mourning, truth-telling, and resistance, dedicated to Narciso and all those currently detained.
They emphasized that families belong together and that immigrants deserve humanity and safety. The vigil included a short, symbolic march supporting those unjustly targeted by Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It took place at the corner of Edinger Avenue and Ritchey Street, where Barranco was arrested.
The Orange County Rapid Response Network expressed steadfast solidarity with the community as they endured the impacts of detention and enforcement. They provided support to families, emphasizing that safety comes from community rather than surveillance. (714) 881-1558
Alejandro Barranco (Narciso’s son) speaking to supporters at a vigil for his father Narciso June 27th.
March along Edinger Ave. June 27th.
June 27, 2025 Candlelight vigil at the location in Santa Ana
Alejandro speaking to supporters at a vigil for his father Narciso June 27th.
June 27, 2025 Vigil for Narciso Barrano
June 27, 2025 Candlelight vigil at the location in Santa Ana (Edinger and Ritchey St.) where Narciso was arrested by ICE agents.
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Categories: Community Voices, Local Events, Local Government, local history, Local News
It is so terrible that upstanding families are being targeted like this. Just unacceptable and must stop. All those non criminals incarcerated at the various internment jails in US and those disappeared out of the country must have a clear path to official citizenship. They contribute to the country and are not criminals. Some have even been arrested at the courts where they are checking in on the many-year citizenship process. I object to this ridiculous waste of taxpayer dollars to go after innocent people.
I agree that ICE’s current handling of arrests is irresponsible and unprofessional. However, my ex-in-laws legally immigrated from Cuba in the 1960s after losing everything to Castro’s regime. They waited years with sponsor families before being granted independent status. Despite the hardship, they followed the legal process and eventually thrived in the U.S.
We are fortunate to be born here, but we can’t continue to absorb unlimited numbers without impact. Resources are limited, and job opportunities are shrinking. It’s frustrating to see benefits stretched for undocumented individuals while citizens, including disabled veterans, struggle. Other countries don’t offer the same privileges to foreigners—often not even allowing land ownership.
The immigration system should be fair and equitable. While ICE must act responsibly, we also need to ensure our policies prioritize both compassion and the well-being of our citizens.
Heineck – I agree it should be fair and equitable. We have such a complicated immigration system – it can take 12+ years to get through it. Some of those arrested and deported were arrested when they went for their regular annual immigration check-up. Others from their jobs or businesses or schools and churches or out shopping with the family.
I have a family member whose family came here from Korea when she was five – she was unaware that she wasn’t a US citizen until she was ready for college. Should kids in that situation be deported?
Over 340 million people live in the US – only 11 million are asylum seekers, or “illegal” undocumented immigrants. So really can’t blame them for high prices at the grocery store, low wages, lack of jobs etc.
BTW – over 8 million US citizens live in other countries around the world – many retirees due to the much less expensive cost of living. And lots of them allow land ownership – I looked into it after Trump won and I briefly considered leaving the country.
It is a myth that undocumented immigrants vote, have special government benefits, are the reason for housing or job shortages, crime – etc. Though I recently heard all those talking points on Zeteo’s “Medhi Hasan vs 20 Conservatives debate“ you can find it on YouTube and it is worth watching.
Everyone in US are immigrants or their ancestors were – unless you are Native American. Just because some of my ancestors came here on the first boat I would not keep your ancestors from coming here. And we all came looking for a better life for ourselves and our children.
“We are fortunate to be born here, but we can’t continue to absorb unlimited numbers without impact”
We don’t have “unlimited numbers.” We don’t and didn’t have open borders. We have a controlled border, by definition. Massive resources are dedicated to controlling our border. Sometimes illegal immigration is up. Sometimes it’s down. Continually, mass numbers are turned away.
But at no time, ever have we hit some condition you could call full, close to full, “unlimited numbers.”
What’s happening now has nothing to do with the border. It’s mass deportation of people already here who aren’t necessarily creating a problem.
BTW – look into the Cuban Refugee program to read about special benefits provided for that group. In Fullerton my parents were involved in that program finding homes for – well – I guess your ancestors. I wish we could – and I think we can – be welcoming to new immigrants.