A dejected US Army veteran in a worn uniform with a Purple Heart pinned to his chest, standing at a stark border crossing, looking back over his shoulder with a mix of sadness and disbelief.
A dejected US Army veteran in a worn uniform with a Purple Heart pinned to his chest, standing at a stark border crossing, looking back over his shoulder with a mix of sadness and disbelief.

US Army Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Deported by ICE to Mexico

José Barco, a 39-year-old U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was deported to Mexico on November 14, 2025, after serving 15 years in prison for attempted murder.

Background

Early Life and Immigration
Born in Venezuela, Barco's family fled Cuba due to his father's political dissidence. They entered the U.S. as asylum seekers when Barco was four years old and later obtained lawful permanent resident status.

Military Service
At 17, Barco enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Iraq. He was injured by an improvised explosive device, earning a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantry Badge.

Citizenship Application
While deployed, Barco applied for U.S. citizenship, but his application was reportedly lost during processing.

Legal Issues

Criminal Conviction
In 2009, Barco was convicted of attempted murder after firing a gun at a house party in Colorado Springs, injuring a 19-year-old woman. He was sentenced to 52 years but was released on parole in January 2025 after serving 15 years.

Detention and Deportation
Upon release, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Barco. In September, an immigration judge denied his appeals for relief, leading to his deportation to Nogales, Mexico, on November 14.

Family and Advocacy Response

Barco's family and legal team were not notified of his deportation plans and have expressed concerns about his well-being and lack of support in Mexico.

Advocates highlight the challenges non-citizen veterans face, especially those with criminal convictions, and the complexities of the military naturalization process.

This case underscores the difficulties veterans encounter in navigating immigration and legal systems, particularly when dealing with mental health issues stemming from military service.

The prompt for this was: US army veteran who received Purple Heart deported by ICE to Mexico

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