Orange County Father of U.S. Marines Faces Uncertain Future After Deportation Appeal
Immigration Case of Orange County Gardener Faces New Challenges
Narciso Barranco, the Orange County landscaper whose deportation case garnered national attention last year, is now confronting renewed uncertainty as federal immigration officials have decided to appeal a judge’s recent ruling that dismissed his case.
Barranco, a father of five, maintains a very low profile, rarely venturing outside his home except for doctor’s appointments, where he is always accompanied by his wife or children. "It feels the same as being in prison," Barranco remarked. He added, "Sometimes I feel desperate…like I just want to run out and leave everything, but I know there are consequences."
His daily life is now confined to his wife, Martha, their dog Snoopy, and two birds. Previously, Barranco worked tirelessly, often seven days a week, but his current circumstances have made him unable to contribute financially, leaving Martha as the family’s sole provider.
Three of Barranco’s five children are active members of the U.S. Marine Corps. One son continues to manage their gardening business, while his siblings advocate for their father from both Orange County and Washington, D.C. "I feel blessed to have my family’s support, but you can’t have everything in life. I have them, but not my freedom," he expressed.
Barranco’s case first drew widespread attention when a video showed immigration agents arresting him while he was working as a landscaper in Santa Ana. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the incident, stating that agents felt threatened by Barranco, who allegedly raised his weed trimmer—a claim contested by his family. He spent nearly a month in detention before being released on bond.
In a recent development, a judge dismissed Barranco’s deportation case after finding that he had provided evidence of being the father of three U.S. Marine sons, making him eligible to seek lawful status. This initial ruling brought temporary relief to his family, but that was quickly overshadowed by the news of the appeal.
Barranco’s attorney, Lisa Ramirez, noted that the appeal argues he does not qualify for permanent residency because his petition is still pending, and his parole-in-place application was submitted to the incorrect agency.
Efforts to obtain a comment from DHS were unsuccessful as of yet. Ramirez emphasized that the appeal also stalls Barranco’s efforts to obtain legal status. "There’s not a lot he can do until a decision is issued," she said.
Barranco finds solace in tending to the small garden behind his home, where he experiences a fleeting sense of freedom. However, his attorney predicts that a hearing on the appeal could take years to be scheduled, meaning Barranco currently remains unprotected against deportation.
