WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are calling for immediate immigration reform after the arrest of Narciso Barranco, a long-time California resident and the father of three active-duty U.S. Marines, who was detained during a federal immigration operation last week.
Representative Lou Correa of California raised the case on the House floor, describing Barranco as a peaceful, tax-paying community member with no criminal record. Correa said Barranco, who has lived in the district for more than 25 years, was arrested by masked federal agents believed to be with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Video footage presented to the House reportedly showed Barranco being punched by agents without provocation during the arrest in Los Angeles. Correa condemned the use of force and argued that federal resources should focus on removing violent criminals, not long-time residents with U.S. citizen children serving in the military.
The arrest of Barranco, whose three sons currently serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, quickly gained national attention. Correa said the family’s sacrifice exemplifies the American ideal and urged the Biden administration to release Barranco immediately.
Correa’s remarks prompted renewed calls for bipartisan immigration reform, emphasizing the need to protect military families from unjust enforcement actions. House Democrats have framed the case as a failure of current immigration policies and a sign that enforcement priorities need to shift.
Barranco remains in ICE custody at a Los Angeles facility. Advocacy groups and lawmakers are pressing for his release and have pointed to the case as a critical example of why comprehensive immigration reform is urgently needed.
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