Fact Check: "A Marine veteran feels betrayed after his father’s violent arrest by ICE."
What We Know
Alejandro Barranco, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, expressed feelings of betrayal after witnessing a video of his father, Narciso Barranco, being violently arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Santa Ana, California. The incident occurred on June 22, 2025, while Narciso was working as a landscaper outside an IHOP restaurant. Alejandro described the arrest as shocking, stating that his father was beaten by agents while being pinned to the ground. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that Narciso swung a weed trimmer at an agent, prompting the use of force during the arrest (AP News, NBC Los Angeles). Alejandro, however, contended that his father did not attack anyone and described the use of force as excessive and unprofessional, contrasting it with his own military training (NBC Los Angeles).
Witnesses and video footage corroborate Alejandro's claims, showing Narciso being punched repeatedly in the head while on the ground. The manager of the IHOP where the incident occurred stated that Narciso was merely trying to protect himself from the agents (NBC Los Angeles). Alejandro reported that his father was in significant pain following the arrest, suffering from injuries including a dislocated shoulder and exposure to pepper spray (HuffPost).
Analysis
The claim that Alejandro Barranco feels betrayed after his father's violent arrest is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press and NBC Los Angeles provided detailed accounts of the incident, including eyewitness reports and video evidence that depict the aggressive nature of the arrest. Alejandro's military background adds weight to his perspective, as he contrasts the actions of the ICE agents with his training and values as a Marine.
The DHS's assertion that Narciso Barranco assaulted agents is contested by both Alejandro and eyewitnesses, including the IHOP manager, who described the situation as Narciso trying to defend himself rather than attacking the agents (NBC Los Angeles). The conflicting narratives raise questions about the reliability of the DHS's account, particularly given the emotional weight of Alejandro's statements and the corroborating video evidence.
The emotional impact on Alejandro, who has served his country, is evident in his statements about feeling betrayed by the very system he defended. His plea for compassion towards undocumented individuals like his father highlights the broader implications of immigration enforcement practices under the Trump administration, which have faced significant scrutiny (AP News).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a Marine veteran feels betrayed after his father's violent arrest by ICE is substantiated by credible reports and eyewitness accounts. Alejandro Barranco's emotional response, coupled with the evidence of excessive force used during his father's arrest, supports the assertion that he feels a profound sense of betrayal by the authorities. The contrasting narratives from the DHS and the Barranco family further emphasize the complexity and emotional weight of the situation.
