MEXICO CITY

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the violent arrest of Narciso Barranco by US immigration authorities, calling it an injustice.

The Mexican national has lived in the US for the last 31 years.

A viral video showing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers beating Barranco, who works as a gardener in Santa Ana, California, has sparked outrage, as President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration administration continues to be linked with violence and human rights violations against documented and undocumented immigrants.

“All of that is unfair. It’s an injustice. Mexican women and men living in the United States, the migrants, because it's not just Mexican women and men -- people who went to the US out of necessity and have built their lives there. They are both Mexican and American at the same time, even if they don't have official citizenship papers, because they have contributed to the United States their entire lives,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference.

US government raids, including in immigrant-friendly states like California, continue to indiscriminately target migrants, regardless of immigration status or how deeply rooted they are in American society. Barranco is the father of three sons serving with the US Marines.

“Imagine, this person’s sons are even part of the U.S. military,” said Sheinbaum.

She said Mexico’s consular network is in contact with Barranco’s family, and she reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to protecting the rights of Mexicans living in the US.​​​​​​​

“We are going to defend them there through the consulates. The foreign minister gave a press conference last week about all the new actions being taken by the consulates,” she added.