Landscaper's Deportation Case Dismissed, Path to Residency Opened

Sun Feb 15 2026 01:13:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An immigration judge terminates the deportation proceedings against Narciso Barranco, paving the way for legal residency, amid ongoing appeals from the Department of Homeland Security.

Narciso Barranco, a landscaper and father of three U.S. Marines, was recently granted a reprieve from deportation by an immigration judge, who cited his parental status as grounds for eligibility for lawful residency. Barranco's case drew public attention after a controversial arrest in Southern California during a crackdown on immigration. Despite ongoing appeals from the Department of Homeland Security, his attorney expressed relief over the recent ruling.

LOS ANGELES (FluxDaily) — An immigration judge has dismissed the deportation case against Narciso Barranco, a landscaper from Mexico who was arrested in Southern California last year. Barranco, the father of three U.S. Marines, is now on a potential path toward legal permanent residency in the U.S.

Barranco's detention in June was part of a high-profile immigration crackdown during the Trump administration, which faced scrutiny and protests. Witnesses captured his tense arrest outside an IHOP restaurant in Santa Ana, where federal agents subdued him while he was clearing weeds.

After a lengthy detention, Barranco was released on a $3,000 bond in July, with an ankle monitor mandated. Recently, Judge Kristin S. Piepmeier terminated the deportation proceedings, recognizing evidence of Barranco's status as the father of U.S.-born military personnel.

In a statement, Barranco expressed his relief: “Thank God I don’t have that weight on top of me,” while continuing to remain cautious until his legal status is fully resolved.

Despite this victory, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to appeal the judge's decision, indicating that the case may not be over. Barranco's lawyer voiced that her client experienced significant stress from his apprehension, highlighting that he has no criminal history.

Barranco has also applied for the Parole in Place program, which protects parents of U.S. military personnel from deportation. If approved, it would grant him a work permit, although this process may take several months to manifest.

Narciso Barranco's son, Alejandro, a Marine Corps veteran who assisted in evacuation missions during the Afghanistan withdrawal, condemned the heavy-handed approach of authorities during his father's arrest, contrasting it with his military training.

Associated Press contributed to this report.