We Speak with Alejandro Barranco: A Son’s Fight for Justice
It was a typical sunny day in Santa Ana, California when Alejandro Barranco’s life was turned upside down. He was sitting at the IHOP restaurant, enjoying a meal with his father, Narciso Barranco, who worked as a landscaper in the area. Little did they know that this would be the last time they would share a meal together for a long time.
As they were finishing their meal, armed and masked ICE agents stormed into the restaurant, without a warrant, and brutally beat Narciso before kidnapping him in broad daylight. The whole incident was witnessed by Alejandro, who was left traumatized and in shock. This was the beginning of a long and painful journey for Alejandro and his family.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Alejandro at the same IHOP where the incident took place, to hear his story and his fight for justice for his father.
“It was like a scene from a movie, I couldn’t believe what was happening in front of my eyes,” Alejandro recalls. “My father is a hardworking man, he has been working as a landscaper for many years and has never caused any trouble. I couldn’t understand why they would do this to him.”
Narciso had been living in the United States for over 20 years, working hard to provide for his family. He had no criminal record and was a respected member of the community. However, his undocumented status made him an easy target for ICE agents.
“They didn’t care about his rights, they didn’t care about his family, they just saw him as an illegal immigrant and treated him like a criminal,” Alejandro says with tears in his eyes.
After the incident, Alejandro and his family were left with many unanswered questions. They had no idea where Narciso was taken or if he was even alive. It was a terrifying and uncertain time for them.
But Alejandro refused to give up. He started a social media campaign to raise awareness about his father’s case and to demand justice. He also reached out to local organizations and activists for support.
“I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. I had to fight for my father, for my family, and for all the other families who have been affected by ICE’s unjust actions,” Alejandro says.
His efforts paid off when after two weeks, Narciso was finally located in a detention center in Arizona. He had been badly beaten and was in need of medical attention. It was a bittersweet moment for Alejandro and his family. They were relieved to know that he was alive, but also devastated to see the state he was in.
Narciso’s case gained national attention and sparked outrage among the immigrant community. Many people came forward to show their support and to demand justice for him. Alejandro and his family were overwhelmed by the love and support they received.
“It was a difficult time for us, but the support we received from the community gave us strength and hope. We knew we were not alone in this fight,” Alejandro says.
After months of legal battles and advocacy, Narciso was finally released from detention and reunited with his family. The charges against him were dropped, and he was allowed to stay in the country with a work permit.
“It was a victory for us, but it’s not over yet. We will continue to fight for justice for all the other families who have been affected by ICE’s actions,” Alejandro says.
He has become a vocal advocate for immigrant rights and has been using his platform to raise awareness about the injustices faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States.
“I want people to know that we are not criminals, we are hardworking individuals who just want a better life for ourselves and our families. We deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” Alejandro says.
As we finish our conversation, Alejandro’s determination and resilience are evident. He refuses to let this traumatic experience break him or his family. Instead, he has turned it into a fight for justice and a call for change.
We leave the IHOP with a sense of hope and admiration for Alejandro and his family. Their story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, love and unity can conquer all.
