Alejandro Barranco, a member of the U.S. Marines, took a stand during a hearing held by the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security. The session, chaired by Republican Senator John Cornyn, was intended to highlight the threats posed by undocumented migrants.
Alejandro testified that his father’s case illustrates the shortcomings of Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” approach, which targets anyone residing in the country without legal status.
Narciso Barranco was detained by ICE agents in Orange County while doing gardening work—an occupation he has held since the 1990s.
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“Masked men who didn’t identify themselves or present a warrant surrounded my father,” said the Afghanistan war veteran. “Terrified, he ran. They chased him, pointed weapons at him, and fired tear gas before tackling and kicking him. After cuffing him, they repeatedly beat him in the head and neck.”
He was then taken to a prison facility and held with 70 other individuals in inhumane conditions—no water and only one toilet available, according to Alejandro.
The family says their ordeal only worsened when Narciso was transferred to the ICE detention center in Adelanto, California. “He went 14 hours without water. The plumbing failed, and dirty bedding caused illnesses among detainees. When he was finally scheduled for a hearing, the public defender showed up unprepared. If we hadn’t hired a private attorney, we wouldn’t have even made it to court.”
Though Narciso was eventually released on bond, his family says he remains deeply traumatized by the experience. They argue he was targeted based on racial profiling, causing emotional and psychological distress for the entire household.
A Patriotic Immigrant and Father
Alejandro took the floor after emotional testimonies from Kayla Hamilton and Marie Vega—mothers of individuals killed by members of MS-13 and a Mexican cartel, respectively. Their stories aligned with Senator Cornyn’s stated objective.
“This hearing is to expose the devastation foreign criminals have caused in communities across the U.S.,” said Cornyn. “We want to show the public the truth, not the false narratives pushed by the media, which portray immigrants as law-abiding.”
He blamed journalists and activists for downplaying the criminal nature of undocumented immigrants. “No one wants to admit it, but entering this country unlawfully is a crime,” Cornyn asserted.
Without directly addressing Cornyn’s statements, Alejandro responded by highlighting his father’s values.
“He is a patriot and a law-abiding man. My father has no criminal record and never should’ve been assaulted by these agents. He’s a human being who deserved respect and dignity. He always contributed to the country that gave him so much. Yet he was beaten, jailed, and now faces deportation.”
When asked by Democratic Senator Alex Padilla about the conduct of ICE agents, Alejandro described their actions as unprofessional and dangerous.
“They were running with guns drawn, fingers on the trigger, aiming at civilian cars. Honestly, I don’t think that makes anyone safer. They need better training and should focus on pursuing real criminals.”
Context: The incident occurred Saturday, June 21, 2025, while Narciso Barranco was working outside an IHOP restaurant in Santa Ana, California. Several armed, masked men in unmarked vehicles approached him. According to Alejandro, his father panicked and tried to flee.
Witnesses reported that federal agents took him down, sprayed him with pepper spray, and repeatedly struck his face. They pressed his head into the pavement and kneeled on his neck while continuing the beating.
At least seven agents participated in the violent arrest. Narciso was forced into an unmarked light-colored Chevrolet van as bystanders begged officers to stop the assault.
He sustained a dislocated shoulder. Footage of the incident circulated widely on social media, sparking public outrage and condemnation.