Marine veteran addresses Congress after father forcibly detained by immigration agents

A Marine veteran whose father was detained by federal immigration agents while at his landscaping job in California last month told Congress members on Tuesday that his father is “traumatized” by what happened and charged that the immigration system is “broken.”

Customs and Border Patrol agents arrested Narciso Barranco, who is undocumented, in Santa Ana on June 21, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Video of him being forcibly detained showed masked agents holding him down on the street and repeatedly punching him after he ran from agents.

“My father has no criminal record and should have never been attacked by these agents,” his son, Alejandro Barranco, told Democratic members of the House Committee on Homeland Security during an oversight forum examining the Trump administration’s detention and deportation practices on Tuesday. “He supported his family and paid taxes. He is a human being, but he was not treated with the basic dignity he deserved.”

Alejandro Barranco said his father, who has two other sons who are currently serving as Marines, is “deeply devoted to this country.” The veteran said he believes the current immigration system is “broken.”

“Cruel and indiscriminate raids are tearing families apart and punishing hard-working people who contribute to our communities every day,” Alejandro Barranco said. “My father, like so many others, deserves a fair chance to stay in this country he calls home. The country is better because of people like my dad. It is time our policies reflected that.”

Narciso Barranco has since been released from custody bond but is “still scared,” his son said.

“He’s still traumatized from everything that happened,” Alejandro Barranco said.

The Department of Homeland Security said following the arrest that Narciso Barranco tried to evade law enforcement, “swung a weed whacker directly at an agent’s face” and resisted commands.

“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,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement at the time.

Alejandro Barranco said during Tuesday’s forum that his father got scared after the masked agents approached him while he was at work.

“As he worked, he noticed masked men approaching him, and was quickly surrounded by men who did not identify themselves and never presented any type of warrant,” he said. “Terrified, he ran. They chased him through the parking lot and into a crowded street. They pointed guns at him, pepper-sprayed him. They tackled him to the ground and kicked him.”

When asked his thoughts about Marines being sent to assist in immigration operations, Alejandro said he believes many would feel “confused, hurt and just sad about everything that is going on.”

“I served with a lot of Marines who are of Latino backgrounds and whose parents and family members, some of them are undocumented,” he said.

When asked by Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., if he was still loyal to the U.S., the Marine veteran replied, “Yes, of course.”

“I decided to join the Marine Corps out of the love I have for this country and to bring honor to my family name,” Alejandro Barranco said. “When I told my dad I was going to enlist, he cried with pride. He told me to give everything I had, because we should do anything and everything to give back to our country.”

Narciso Barranco was released from federal custody on July 15 and has an immigration status hearing in August, according to Orange City Council officials.