The undocumented father of three U.S. Marines has been living the life of a recluse for months after he was released from a federal detention center following a violent arrest in Santa Ana last June.
Narciso Barraco’s arrest was caught on video in June 2025 as a federal agent was seen punching him outside a Santa Ana IHOP. The longtime landscaper with no criminal history was accused of threatening federal agents with a weed trimmer although his family said he was trying to protect himself.
Nearly seven month after he was released from federal custody, the Barranco family learned last month that the deportation case against the patriarch was dismissed.
The dismissal has brought great relief for Barranco, but the life of the man, who used to work seven days a week to support his family, looks very different these days.
Barranco told NBC Los Angeles Friday that since the arrest, he has been too afraid to leave his home. He doesn’t work and relies on his family to get him what he needs.
“No, I’m not leaving the house. I’m staying here. It’s better here,” Barranco told NBCLA in Spanish via FaceTime, his main connection to the outside world. “Why look for more problems? I’ll stay home.”
Barranco admitted that it’s been hard to rely on others because he was an independent person before the arrest, but he said he’s still reeling from the trauma. A person close to the family told NBCLA that Barranco has been in therapy since coming home.
The dismissal of the deportation case means the immediate threat of deportation is removed, but his legal process is still ongoing. And the Department of Homeland Security said it’s planning to appeal the case.
Barranco’s attorney, Lisa Ramirez, said the latest ruling opens the door to permanent residency with a parole application and family-based petition still pending.
“He has a U.S. citizen wife, three U.S. Citizen marine sons, so he has ample opportunity to be able to qualify for permanent residency. It’s just a matter of getting him there,” Ramirez said.
The attorney said if the Department of Homeland Security appeals the case, her team is prepared. The DHS has 30 days from Jan. 28, the day of the ruling, to file.