A Mexican father whose violent arrest outside a Santa Ana IHOP went viral has won a major break in immigration court, his family says. A federal immigration judge has terminated the deportation case against Narciso Barranco, a gardener and father of three U.S. Marines. Relatives say the Jan. 28 ruling led to the removal of his ankle monitor and an end to routine check-ins with federal immigration officials, clearing the way for a Parole in Place petition that could speed up his bid for permanent residency. Even with the reprieve, they say Barranco is still wary about going out while his status remains unresolved.
Judge ends removal case, family says
Rigo Hernandez, Barranco’s stepson, told reporters that an immigration judge terminated his stepfather’s deportation case during a virtual hearing on Jan. 28. Since the decision, Hernandez said, Barranco’s ankle monitor has been taken off and his scheduled check-ins with federal immigration officials have been halted, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Viral video stoked outrage
Video from the June 21, 2025 encounter shows masked federal agents forcing Barranco to the pavement and, in at least one clip, punching him while bystanders recorded the scene, according to NBC Los Angeles. The Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol defended the operation and told news outlets that agents confronted a man who resisted and at one point swung a string trimmer, a version of events the family disputes.
Where it happened and local reaction
The arrest happened while Barranco was doing landscaping work outside an IHOP at Edinger Avenue and Ritchey Street in Santa Ana. Video of the takedown helped spark vigils and public demands for answers from city officials, Voice of OC reported. The incident fed a wider local fight over recent immigration enforcement sweeps and pushed Santa Ana leaders to move on legal and financial aid for affected families.
Parole in Place could clear path to residency
Barranco’s legal team has filed for Parole in Place, a discretionary program for certain family members of U.S. citizens or active-duty service members that can allow an undocumented relative to stay in the country temporarily and apply to adjust status. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services states that parole is decided case by case and, if granted, typically lets recipients apply for work authorization and then submit a green card application. Parole itself does not automatically provide permanent residence. Program details are outlined by USCIS.
What comes next
According to the family, the judge’s decision lifts the immediate threat of removal but does not settle Barranco’s immigration status. His attorneys plan to keep pressing the Parole in Place request while coordinating medical follow-ups and additional paperwork, the Los Angeles Times reported. Supporters and local officials say the case has turned into a flash point in the ongoing fight over immigration enforcement tactics and how the system treats long-term residents with deep U.S. family ties.
