LOS ANGELES — An immigration judge has dismissed the deportation case against Narciso Barranco, a landscaper arrested in Southern California in June of last year, paving the way for him to apply for legal permanent residency in the United States. The decision by Judge Kristin S. Piepmeier highlighted Barranco's status as the father of three U.S. Marines, which qualifies him for lawful immigration status.
The case gained attention during the intensified immigration enforcement under the previous administration, prompting protests and scrutiny from advocates. Barranco, who arrived in the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s, had been in detention for some time before his release on a $3,000 bond, with an ankle monitor imposed as part of his conditions.
In a recent interview, Barranco expressed relief about the outcome, stating, I feel happy. Thank God I don’t have that weight on top of me. He has, however, opted to remain mostly at home until all his legal documents are finalized.
The Department of Homeland Security has indicated plans to appeal the ruling. Barranco's attorney emphasized the traumatic nature of his apprehension, arguing that the aggressive tactics used during his arrest were unnecessary and criticized the targeting of individuals based on their appearance.
Barranco has applied for a Parole in Place, protecting parents of U.S. military personnel from deportation and providing a pathway towards permanent residency. The process could take several months, while he remains hopeful for the future.
His son, Alejandro Barranco, highlighted his father's character, emphasizing that he has no criminal history and pointing out the discrepancies in the government's claims regarding the circumstances of his father's apprehension. Alejandro, along with his two brothers, are all currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
