Judge Dismisses Deportation Case for Mexican Father of 3 U.S. Marines

Narciso Barranco, who was arrested in a widely-watched incident, is now on a path to legal residency.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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An immigration judge has dismissed the deportation case against Narciso Barranco, a landscaper from Mexico who is the father of three U.S. Marines. Barranco was arrested in 2025 in an incident that drew widespread attention, but the judge ruled he is eligible to seek lawful status due to his sons' military service. The Department of Homeland Security plans to appeal the decision.

Why it matters

The case highlights the complex and often contentious intersection of immigration enforcement and military service, as well as the ongoing debate over the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Barranco's case drew protests over the aggressive nature of his arrest, raising questions about how immigration authorities balance public safety with compassion for families.

The details

Barranco, who came to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s without legal status, was arrested in June 2025 outside an IHOP restaurant in Santa Ana, California, where he was clearing weeds. Federal agents struggled with Barranco and pinned him to the ground. He was then taken to a detention center and placed in deportation proceedings. In January 2026, an immigration judge dismissed the case, ruling that Barranco was eligible to seek lawful status as the father of three U.S. Marines.

  • Barranco was arrested in June 2025.
  • In July 2025, Barranco was released on bond and ordered to wear an ankle monitor.
  • On January 28, 2026, the immigration judge dismissed Barranco's deportation case.

The players

Narciso Barranco

A 49-year-old landscaper from Mexico who came to the U.S. in the 1990s without legal status. He is the father of three U.S. Marines.

Alejandro Barranco

One of Narciso Barranco's sons, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who aided the evacuation of personnel and Afghan allies from Afghanistan in 2021.

Kristin S. Piepmeier

The immigration judge who dismissed Narciso Barranco's deportation case.

Lisa Ramirez

Narciso Barranco's lawyer.

Tricia McLaughlin

The Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary who defended the actions of the immigration agents in Barranco's arrest.

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What they’re saying

“The aggressive nature of the apprehension, it 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.”

— Lisa Ramirez, Narciso Barranco's lawyer (The Associated Press)

“The agents took appropriate action and followed their training to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation in a manner that prioritizes the safety of the public and our officers.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary (The Associated Press)

What’s next

If Narciso Barranco's petition for Parole in Place is approved, he will receive a work permit, which could take six months or more to process.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and often contentious intersection of immigration enforcement and military service, as well as the ongoing debate over the balance between public safety and compassion for immigrant families.