The NPR Politics Podcast
He Has A Purple Heart & Is A Convicted Felon. ICE Wants To Deport Him
Apr 7, 2025
An Iraq War veteran faces the daunting prospect of deportation after a felony conviction. The podcast dives into the intersection of military service, mental health struggles, and convoluted immigration policies. It highlights the bureaucratic challenges of the deportation process and the complexities faced by veterans who have served their country. Listeners will explore the emotional toll of being a Purple Heart recipient at risk of losing his place in a society he fought to protect.
11:03
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Quick takeaways
- Jose Barco's complex situation reveals the intertwined challenges of military service, mental health, and immigration status leading to potential deportation.
- The bureaucratic obstacles surrounding deportation for veterans like Barco exemplify broader systemic issues within U.S. immigration policy and reform needs.
Deep dives
Jose Barco's Journey and Military Service
Jose Barco's story begins when he immigrated to the United States from Venezuela at the age of four, growing up in a complicated familial background. Enlisting in the Army at 17, Barco served bravely in Iraq, where he faced a life-threatening explosion and earned a Purple Heart for his heroism. However, his military service left him with undiagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD, which affected his behavior upon returning home. Despite these challenges and his attempts to pursue citizenship, Barco's application was lost, leaving him in a precarious legal status.
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