A viral video has generated national outrage by showing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents beating and violently arresting an undocumented gardener in front of an IHOP restaurant in Tustin, California.
The assaulted man is Narciso Barranco, 53, a landscape worker who at the time was trimming bushes as part of his workday. Without warning, hooded CBP agents approached and, after his panicked attempt to flee, he was knocked down, pepper-sprayed and repeatedly beaten before being handcuffed and taken into custody. The scene was recorded by bystanders and quickly spread on social media, causing outrage over the excessive use of force in an immigration operation.
Exemplary father
What has further shocked public opinion is the identity of Narciso’s family:
He is the father of three sons who serve – or have served – in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Alejandro Barranco, one of them, is a Marine Corps veteran who participated in missions in Afghanistan.
His two younger brothers are currently active at the Camp Pendleton base.
Alejandro stated: “I fought for this country. My brothers continue to do so. What they did to our father is unacceptable. We ask for justice.
According to his statements, Narciso has no criminal record and has lived for decades as an exemplary worker, causing no harm to anyone.
The young ex-Marine found out what happened through messages sent to him with the video of the arrest by CBP agents.
The family managed to speak with Narciso the next day by phone, and Alejandro described the conversation as devastating.
I heard him crying, scared. I had never heard him like that before
Community mobilized for justice
The Barranco family has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to cover Narciso’s legal defense and prevent his deportation.
The cause has received the backing of thousands of people on social media, including veterans and civil rights advocates.
So far, CBP has not issued an official statement on the incident.
However, pro-immigrant organizations have called for an independent investigation into the use of force in this case and in many other similar cases that have been reported recently.
Alejandro ended his testimony with a message of hope:
“We believe this is going to reach the right ears.”
“We want a country where those who work honestly are not beaten, much less if they are the parents of those who defend it.”
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
