Masked Border Patrol agents detain landscaper after repeatedly hitting him

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include a response from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In a video circulating on social media, a group of masked U.S. Border Patrol agents is seen striking and subduing a man in Santa Ana before forcing him into the back of an unmarked car on Saturday.

The incident sparked protests in the following hours, and an online fundraiser was started through GoFundMe, where family members identified the victim as Tustin resident Narciso Barranco, a father to three sons who are all U.S. Marines.

According to one of his sons, 25-year-old Alejandro Barranco, Narciso was picked up by alleged federal immigration officers while he was working as a landscaper at the IHOP on Edinger Avenue and Ritchey Street.

“I think part of it is racial profiling,” Alejandro told KTLA’s Sara Welch. “They probably assumed because he was working the landscaping he had no documentation.”

The video shared by the Instagram account @SantaAnaProblems shows a group of Border Patrol agents wearing face coverings and tactical vests surrounding Narciso, holding him down while one agent repeatedly strikes him on his right arm and near his head.

Other agents then pull Narciso to his feet and push him into the backseat of a silver SUV using a metal rod. He did not appear to be seriously injured.

Another video posted to social media shows Narciso moments earlier running with a weed trimmer, which, according to the Department of Homeland Security, he used to assault the agents.

“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?” DHS posted to X on Monday, along with a 7-second video where Narciso is seen running from agents, waving a weed whacker overhead as an agent pepper-sprays him.

Alejandro says his father has no criminal history and had recently applied to become a U.S. citizen.

“I understand there is federal law. I know it’s hard for a lot of people, but I think every situation is different,” Alejandro told us. “The pathway for people like my dad to get a better shot at citizenship, the way it is right now, I don’t think it’s fair.”

KTLA reached out to city and state officials. A Santa Ana Police spokesperson said they are aware of the video circulating on social media but had no further details.

Congressman Lou Correa, who represents Santa Ana, called the case another example of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown striking fear in Southern California’s Latino community.

“We cannot have federal agents inciting violence in our streets and attacking innocent parents,” Rep. Correa (D-Orange County) said in a statement to KTLA 5 News. “Clearly, we need immigration reform—­­­especially for people like Mr. Barranca who have lived in this country for 25-30 years and raised his sons to put their lives on the line to defend the United States.”