On the morning of Tuesday, March 24, Jose Barco was deported from Arizona by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 4 a.m. He’s a U.S. Army veteran, son of Venezuelan refugees and recipients of the Purple Heart for his heroic service in Iraq. This decision has reverberated through his family and community, shining a light on the complicated realities of immigration status and military service.
Barco’s story starts in Cuba, his father a political dissident who fled the communist regime. In the 1980s, escaping this oppression, the family moved to Venezuela. They subsequently came to the United States when Barco was four years old and were given permanent resident status. Barco’s example of duty and patriotism was surely an inspiration, as he enlisted with the Army at 17 years of age.
Throughout this time he fought in two combat tours to Iraq, during which his personal military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. This tour of battle-based experience was awarded with a Purple Heart, serving to honor his personal toll taken while serving his nation. Barco’s life was turned upside down when he found himself in legal trouble. For example, in October 2009, he discharged a firearm at a house party in Colorado Springs, resulting in a felony attempted murder conviction.
After spending 15 years behind bars, Barco was released on parole in January for good behavior. At the time of his deportation, he was in his 30s. He confronted an intimidating future in Mexico, a nation he had never lived in as an adult.
“This has been incredibly difficult for his family,” said Anna Stout, a family spokesperson. She stressed the human impact of having his family members endure day-to-day uncertainty in the wake of this surprise exile.
Stout stressed the family’s suffering as they navigate this difficult period. They are fighting an uphill battle not only with all of their burdens, but with a blindfold on as well, being unsure of what is going on with their loved one.
Barco’s case is a perfect demonstration of critical ways the immigration system fails to honor veterans. Most importantly, it highlights the often catastrophic impact of criminal convictions on immigrants’ lives. As immigration laws continue to evolve, many veterans like Barco find themselves caught in a complex web of legalities that can overshadow their service to the country.