An Orange County father of three U.S. Marines has spoken out publicly for the first time since his release from federal immigration custody, sharing not only his own story but also the voices of the fellow detainees he shared a cell with.
Narciso Barranco, a landscaper from Tustin, was detained last month by masked Customs and Border Protection agents while working outside an IHOP restaurant in Santa Ana. The arrest, which involved agents striking and subduing him before forcing him into an unmarked SUV, was captured on video and widely shared online, sparking national attention and more local protests.
Federal officials say Barranco, who is undocumented, assaulted agents with a weed trimmer during the arrest. A brief video released by the Department of Homeland Security shows Barranco running and swinging the tool overhead as agents deploy pepper spray. However, his family disputes the allegation, and Barranco has not been charged with any crime. His attorney says he was detained solely due to his immigration status…