LOS ANGELES — An immigration judge has dismissed the deportation case against Narciso Barranco, a landscaper arrested last year in Southern California. Barranco, who originally came to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s and lacks legal status, is now pursuing permanent residency in the country. His June 2022 arrest during a federal immigration crackdown attracted significant public scrutiny and sparked protests.
Barranco, pinned to the ground by federal agents while working outside an IHOP in Santa Ana, was detained in Los Angeles and later released on a $3,000 bond wearing an ankle monitor. In a January 28 order, Judge Kristin S. Piepmeier ruled that Barranco's role as a father to three U.S. Marines made him eligible for lawful status.
I feel happy, Barranco said in a phone interview. Thank God I don’t have that weight on top of me. However, he is choosing to remain mostly at home until his legal matters are fully resolved.
The Department of Homeland Security announced its intent to appeal the judge’s ruling. Barranco's attorney, Lisa Ramirez, expressed relief for her client, stating, The aggressive nature of the apprehension was traumatic. Mr. Barranco has had zero criminal history. They came after him because he was a brown gardener in the streets of Santa Ana.
Barranco is currently applying for Parole in Place, which would protect parents of military personnel from deportation and potentially lead to permanent residency. This process could take at least six months. Meanwhile, DHS claims Barranco was noncompliant during his arrest, a characterization his family disputes. His son, Alejandro Barranco, a U.S. Marine veteran, emphasized his father's nonviolent nature.
This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions within immigration policies in the U.S., particularly under the scrutiny of recent government enforcement actions.
Barranco, pinned to the ground by federal agents while working outside an IHOP in Santa Ana, was detained in Los Angeles and later released on a $3,000 bond wearing an ankle monitor. In a January 28 order, Judge Kristin S. Piepmeier ruled that Barranco's role as a father to three U.S. Marines made him eligible for lawful status.
I feel happy, Barranco said in a phone interview. Thank God I don’t have that weight on top of me. However, he is choosing to remain mostly at home until his legal matters are fully resolved.
The Department of Homeland Security announced its intent to appeal the judge’s ruling. Barranco's attorney, Lisa Ramirez, expressed relief for her client, stating, The aggressive nature of the apprehension was traumatic. Mr. Barranco has had zero criminal history. They came after him because he was a brown gardener in the streets of Santa Ana.
Barranco is currently applying for Parole in Place, which would protect parents of military personnel from deportation and potentially lead to permanent residency. This process could take at least six months. Meanwhile, DHS claims Barranco was noncompliant during his arrest, a characterization his family disputes. His son, Alejandro Barranco, a U.S. Marine veteran, emphasized his father's nonviolent nature.
This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions within immigration policies in the U.S., particularly under the scrutiny of recent government enforcement actions.
