Mexican National Living in U.S. for Three Decades Granted Legal Status After Deportation Case Termination
The arrest of Narciso Barranco, a Mexican national living in the United States for three decades, made headlines when he was detained by immigration agents while landscaping outside an IHOP in Southern California. The incident occurred last June when agents approached him, pinned him to the ground, and handcuffed him, leading to his placement in deportation proceedings. However, an immigration judge recently terminated the deportation case against Mr. Barranco, allowing him to pursue legal permanent residency in the U.S.
Judge Kristin S. Piepmeier signed the order terminating the deportation case on Jan. 28, citing evidence that Mr. Barranco is the father of three American sons serving in the military, making him eligible for lawful status. This ruling marks a significant victory for Mr. Barranco, who has been released from detention, had his ankle monitor removed, and no longer needs to check in with immigration officers. His lawyer, Lisa Ramirez, helped him apply for Parole in Place, a program that shields undocumented parents of U.S. military personnel from deportation and expedites their pathway to permanent residency.
While Mr. Barranco is grateful for the positive outcome, he remains cautious about his future status and continues to attend Sunday Mass while awaiting the approval of his residency application. Despite the victory in his case, he still harbors fears of being apprehended by immigration authorities. The termination of the deportation case represents a significant step towards securing Mr. Barranco's legal status in the U.S., providing hope for a more stable future for him and his family.