The Trump administration released video footage of what took place right before Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal migrant Saturday in southern California, contesting a media narrative casting the man as a simple “Santana Ana father.”
A viral video on social media shows several Border Patrol agents holding an unidentified man down and allegedly striking him as they attempt to force compliance amid an arrest in the Santa Ana, California, area. Public reaction to the video — which did not include what took place moments before the arrest — was strong, with the Santa Ana Mayor calling it “horrendous” and a GoFundMe page for the man, identified as Narcisco Barranco, netting roughly $100,000.
However, Barranco had allegedly charged the agents with a weed whacker as they attempted to apprehend him, prompting the aggressive response, according to video released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“On June 21, Border Patrol Agents arrested an illegal alien who tried to evade law enforcement,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Monday to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The illegal alien ran, then turned and swung a weed whacker directly at an agent’s face.”
“He then fled through a busy intersection and raised the weed whacker again at the agent,” McLaughlin continued. “The illegal alien refused to comply every step of the way — resisting commands, fighting handcuffs, and refusing to identify himself. The agents took appropriate action and followed their training to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation in a manner that prioritizes the safety of the public and our officers.”
DHS did not immediately confirm whether Barranco has a criminal background. He is the father of three Marines, according to his GoFundMe.
WATCH:
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?
What a completely slanted portrayal of what actually happened. https://t.co/Zf10PgjEdY pic.twitter.com/dRYnLuPK8o
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 23, 2025
“He ASSAULTED federal law enforcement with a WEED WHACKER,” DHS posted on social media in response to the media narrative that the immigration agents acted overly aggressive. “Perhaps the mainstream media would like our officers to stand there and be mowed down instead of defending themselves?”
DHS referred to KTLA’s social media post about the incident — which did not mention the alleged attack against Border Patrol agents beforehand — as a “completely slanted portrayal” of what took place.
Barranco was working outside of an IHOP in Santa Ana when several Border Patrol agents approached him, according to the LA Times. The outlet, citing the illegal migrant’s son, reported Sunday that his shoulder was dislocated and that he did not receive any medical treatment for more than 24 hours in a Los Angeles detention facility.
However, DHS disputed the LA Times’ reporting: “Reports that officers dislocated his shoulder are FALSE. He was offered medical care which he declined,” McLaughlin said to the DCNF. She confirmed he is now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
The viral video follows violent anti-ICE riots that swept the Los Angeles area and elsewhere across the country in June. The destruction left Los Angeles, which is already reeling with a billion-dollar budget shortfall, with a price tag of more than $32 million.
Following President Donald Trump’s re-election victory, the LA City Council approved an ordinance making it a sanctuary city, prohibiting local law enforcement cooperation with ICE agents and other federal immigration authorities.
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