An Iraq war veteran, injured in combat and honored with a Purple Heart, who spent nearly his entire life in the United States, was deported this Friday by immigration authorities. This decision comes despite the dangers he faces and the anguish of a family deeply affected by Cuban exile.
NewsNation confirmed that José Barco-Chirino, aged 39, was deported from a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Arizona to Nogales, Mexico. His family remains uncertain about his exact whereabouts.
Barco legally entered the United States with his parents from Venezuela when he was just four years old. His family had initially fled Cuba after his father was exiled, moving to Venezuela before seeking political asylum in the U.S. It was there that Barco grew up, received his education, and built his life.
He served in the U.S. Army and completed two tours in Iraq, where he heroically saved the lives of two fellow soldiers trapped under a burning Humvee after an explosive device detonated. This act of courage left him with severe burns and a traumatic brain injury.
His bravery earned him the Purple Heart, a U.S. military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed in action against enemy forces, as reported by NewsNation and Arizona Mirror.
Despite applying for citizenship twice, including once while deployed in 2006, his applications were lost, according to documents cited by CNN and testimonies from his superiors.
"The country he bled for and nearly died for never processed his citizenship," lamented Ricardo Reyes, director of VetsForward, to Arizona Mirror, calling the deportation a "national disgrace."
A Tragic Turning Point
In 2008, still grappling with the aftermath of his injuries, insomnia, nightmares, nearby explosions, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder, Barco was involved in a violent incident in Colorado Springs. During an altercation, he fired a gun, injuring a pregnant young woman. He was convicted of attempted murder and other felonies, according to FOX31 and CNN.
He served 15 years in prison, where he completed rehabilitation programs and maintained good behavior. On the day of his release, January 21, 2025, ICE was already waiting for him, contradicting what his family had been repeatedly told, according to CNN.
For months, ICE attempted to deport him to Venezuela, but the country refused to accept him, questioning his Venezuelan identity and casting doubt on his birth certificate.
Fears also lingered that, due to his family's history of Cuban exile and his father's status as a political prisoner, he might be jailed or tortured in either Cuba or Venezuela.
Attorneys requested that, instead of sending him to those countries, he be transferred to Mexico, where he could receive treatment for his PTSD. However, the family insisted that the only safe destination should be the United States, the country where he grew up, studied, started his family, and bravely served.
"I Am a Man Without a Country"
In audios released by CNN, Barco expressed his despair over not belonging anywhere: "My service, my sacrifice, my bloodshed didn't matter. I am essentially a man without a country."
His wife, Tia Barco, fears for his life. His lawyers warn he could be subjected to torture. Veterans like Ricardo Reyes argue that his deportation sends a devastating message: "When a veteran is deported, all veterans are dishonored."
More than 10,000 veterans have reportedly been deported between January and June of this year, according to data cited by Arizona Mirror. The Trump administration reversed protections that previously required ICE to consider military service in these cases.
Barco's story is not just a legal case; it is the chronicle of a child in exile, a decorated soldier, a man wounded by war, and shattered by a system that failed to recognize the country he defended.
Today, his family, comprising Cuban and Venezuelan exiles, awaits an answer, or simply the certainty of where he is.
Key Questions About José Barco-Chirino's Case
What are the reasons behind José Barco-Chirino's deportation?
José Barco-Chirino was deported due to his criminal conviction and the loss of his citizenship applications, despite his military service and injuries.
What challenges did José face after his military service?
After his service, José struggled with severe PTSD, insomnia, and the repercussions of his combat injuries, leading to a violent incident in 2008.
Why was Venezuela unwilling to accept José Barco-Chirino?
Venezuela refused to accept him, questioning his Venezuelan identity and the validity of his birth certificate.
How has José's deportation affected his family?
His family is deeply concerned for his safety and wellbeing, feeling that the only secure place for him is the United States, the country where he lived most of his life.