Immigration Judge Dismisses Deportation Case for Landscaper, Father of Three Marines

Thu Mar 12 2026 12:34:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Narciso Barranco, a landscaper arrested in Southern California, is on his way to attaining permanent residency after an immigration judge dismissed his deportation case. His arrest last year sparked protests and scrutiny over the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Narciso Barranco, who was arrested in Southern California during a crackdown on immigration, had his deportation case dismissed by an immigration judge. As a father of three U.S. Marines, Barranco is now moving towards legal permanent residency in the U.S. His case received significant attention due to the nature of his arrest and the broader context of immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration. Barranco's lawyer expressed relief at the ruling, while the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to appeal.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An immigration judge has dismissed the deportation case against Narciso Barranco, a landscaper arrested in Southern California last year. The 49-year-old, who is a father of three U.S. Marines, is now on a clearer path to obtaining legal permanent residency in the United States.

Barranco, who arrived in the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s, had been in the spotlight since his arrest in June 2022. His apprehension was recorded by witnesses and managed to spark widespread scrutiny over the Trump administration's immigration policies.

During the arrest, Barranco was seen struggling with federal agents outside an IHOP restaurant in Santa Ana, where he had been working on landscaping. Federal agents later took him to a Los Angeles detention center and placed him in deportation proceedings. In July, Barranco was released on a $3,000 bond and was required to wear an ankle monitor.

Judge Kristin S. Piepmeier ruled on January 28 that Barranco's status as the father of military service members made him eligible for lawful status, citing evidence he provided regarding his family.

Barranco expressed gratitude and relief in a recent phone interview, stating, “Thank God I don’t have that weight on top of me,” emphasizing his desire to remain cautious and stay home until his legal paperwork is fully processed.

His attorney, Lisa Ramirez, highlighted that Barranco's arrest was traumatic due to the aggressive manner in which agents apprehended him, insisting that he carries no criminal records and was unjustly targeted simply for being a landscaper.

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that it would appeal the judge's decision, reiterating claims that Barranco refused compliance during the arrest, which brought urgencies regarding the proper conduct of immigration enforcement.

Barranco's story has resonated amid ongoing debates over immigration reform and military ties, as his sons continue to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. The legal journey towards Barranco securing his residency is expected to take several months but represents a potentially life-changing outcome for him and his family.