DHS defends viral video of CBP agents detaining undocumented landscaper wielding weed whacker in California
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A video has now gone viral showing a landscaper in Santa Ana appearing to be panicking and swinging a weed whacker before being tackled by CBP officers.

The immigration enforcement officers in the video can be seen appearing to tackle and strike Narciso Barranco, a husband and father of three sons who are United States Marines, while he was doing his landscaping job outside an IHOP on Edinger and Ritchey in Santa Ana, CA. 

The video is sparking outrage as questions are being raised about the alleged use of force by agents and whether Barranco, who is undocumented, was allegedly trying to mow down officers attempting to detain him or simply trying to run away.

Narciso Barranco and family

Narciso Barranco, a husband and father of three sons who are United States Marines, was detained while he was doing his landscaping job outside an IHOP on Edinger and Ritchey in Santa Ana, CA.  (GoFundMe/Jacqueline Vasquez )

“He ASSAULTED federal law enforcement with a WEED WHACKER. Perhaps the mainstream media would like our officers to stand there and be mowed down instead of defending themselves? What a completely slanted portrayal of what actually happened,” the post stated.

In a statement to FOX 11, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claims they took the appropriate steps.

“The agents took appropriate action and following 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,” the statement read.

three sons

“He is a good, hard working man. He has raised his family here and has established himself here. What we ALL saw today was disgusting and heart wrenching. Time after time we are seeing stories like this one,” a GoFundMe for the family stated. (GoFundMe/Jacqueline Vasquez )

However, Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick said he disagreed about what the video supposedly depicts.

“The video shows him vaguely waving a weed whacker at someone far outside his reach, as he runs away from people he says didn’t identify themselves or even say anything as they ran at him. That is not assault under any definition of the term. And it doesn’t merit BEING BEATEN,” Reichlin-Melnick responded in a repost of the video.

A GoFundMe set up by Jacqueline Vasquez says the way immigration officials handled Barranco was “disgusting.”

“He is a good, hard working man. He has raised his family here and has established himself here. What we ALL saw today was disgusting and heart wrenching. Time after time we are seeing stories like this one,” it stated.

According to the page, Barranco had gone over 24 hours without medical attention and was still wearing the bloody clothes he was detained in. It also states he is in a cell with about 70 people and only receives water once a day.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Jacqueline Vasquez for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Gov. DeSantis appoints 3 judges from Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra

“Jacksonville DUI Civil Case Concludes with Multi-Million Dollar Verdict and Lengthy Prison Sentence”

A closer look at a tragic DUI case in Jacksonville that ended…
Florida set to execute man convicted of raping, killing a woman outside of a bar

Florida Executes Convicted Rapist and Murderer of Woman Outside Bar

Thomas Lee Gudinas, 51, was convicted of the May 1994 killing of…
Zohran Mamdani's win leaves NYC staring at the curse of 'interesting times' -- but he's not the prohibitive favorite

Zohran Mamdani’s Victory in NYC Sparks Talks of ‘Interesting Times’ Curse, Yet He’s Not the Clear Favorite

Zohran Mamdani emerged as the clear winner in the Democratic mayoral primary,…
Zohran Mamdani leads as New York City mayoral primary heads for ranked choice tabulation

Zohran Mamdani in the lead as NYC mayoral primary moves to ranked choice counting

State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is the early leader as first-choice votes are…
JSO: Teen shot in foot while walking along Southside Boulevard

Man Incurs Gunshot Wound while Trying to Escape Block Party on Jacksonville’s Eastside

The victim, a man in his 40s, told police he was at…
In US, the Iranian diaspora contends with the Israel-Iran war and a fragile ceasefire

Iranian community in the US deals with conflict between Israel and Iran amid a delicate truce

Born and raised in Iran, Fariba Pajooh, was detained in her country…
Karen Read 'didn't do this crime,' says jury foreman after acquitting her of murder charges: report

Karen Read ‘didn’t do this crime,’ says jury foreman after acquitting her of murder charges: report

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The jury foreman in…
Suspect killed, officer injured in Baltimore shooting as bodycam captures cries of 'cease fire'

Suspect killed, officer injured in Baltimore shooting as bodycam captures cries of ‘cease fire’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Body camera footage provided…