The Santa Ana Police Department is asking residents to warn if they see abandoned vehicles or property that appears to belong to someone detained by federal immigration officials. The department has issued public services announcements on social media following the city’s well-known arrest of immigrants that attracted local and national attention.
“If a community member is in custody by a federal officer and it appears that the vehicle or property has been left alone or abandoned, please call the communications department,” the statement read. Police added that they will make “reasonable efforts” to contact family members and others who can retrieve their belongings. The notification was initially posted in Spanish and there was a follow-up video in English.
This message shows that many families are scrambling for answers and support amid increasing immigration enforcement efforts in Southern California. One case in particular caused anger. Narcisso Baranco was arrested in Santa Ana, her 48-year-old husband and father of the US Marines.
Baranco was allegedly taken into custody by US Border Patrol agents on Saturday while working as a landscape gardener outside IHOP near Edinger Avenue and Richie Street. A widely shared video of the arrest on social media shows masked federal agents working on the ground, attacking him, and then forcing him to an unmarked silver SUV.
The footage was originally posted by the Instagram account @SantaNaproblems. In the video, an agent wearing a tactical vest and face coverings surrounds the man and secures it on the pavement. One agent repeatedly attacks him near his arms and head before the others lift him up and use what appears to be a metal rod to push him into the car. The man appeared to be not seriously injured in the footage.
Masked Boundary Patrol Agent restrains the landscaper after repeatedly hitting him
His son, 25-year-old Alejandro Baranco, identified the man as his father, Narciso. He told KTLA’s Sarah Welch that her father has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years and was targeted because of how he looked and where he worked.
“I think part of that is racial profiling,” Alejandro said. “He probably assumed he had no documents because he was in the landscaping.”
On Sunday evening, hundreds of community members gathered in Santa Ana to gather for candlelight in support of Narciso. The event attracted hundreds of attendees, including faith leaders and elected officials.
“We didn’t expect this kind of turnout – all the elected officials, support – it’s crazy.
Under current US immigration policy, military service members and veteran spouses and close relatives are eligible to apply for green cards or humanitarian parole and grant them permission to work. Alejandro says he is currently pursuing that legal channel for his father and will continue to file his documents in the hopes of ensuring his release from custody.
The incident drew criticism from elected officials, including Lou Correa, a lawmaker representing the area. In a statement to KTLA 5 News, Correa called out some of the cases of a broader pattern of immigration enforcement, which terrifies Southern California’s Latino community.
“We cannot have federal agents who incite violence on our streets and attack innocent parents,” Correa said. “Obviously, we need immigration reform. People like Baranco, in particular, have lived in this country for 25-30 years and risked their lives to raise their sons and protect the United States.”
Santa Ana Police are urging residents to stay calm and maintain information and contact the communications department at (714) 245-8665 if they see any remaining property or vehicle under suspicious circumstances.
