The case of Sgt. Jose Barco exemplifies the process and challenges associated with U.S. citizenship for non-citizen military personnel. Jose Barco, a U.S. Army veteran, completed two tours in Iraq and received a Purple Heart. He immigrated to the United States from Venezuela at age four and entered legally as a refugee.

During his active military service, Barco pursued naturalization, a process streamlined for servicemembers. Executive Order 13269, signed by President George W. Bush on July 3, 2002, facilitated this. Titled "Expedited Naturalization for Aliens and Noncitizen Nationals Serving in an Active-Duty Status During the War on Terrorism," this order was designed to:

• Expedite the naturalization process for eligible servicemembers.
• Waive certain naturalization requirements, including specific residency periods and continuous physical presence.
• Acknowledge military contributions by non-citizen individuals.

This executive order provided an accelerated pathway to citizenship for those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during periods of conflict.

Despite initiating his naturalization application in 2006 during his military service, Sgt. Barco's citizenship paperwork was reportedly lost. This administrative issue prevented the full processing and confirmation of his naturalization application.

Due to USCIS indicating no record of a previous application, Barco was subsequently compelled to reapply for citizenship in 2008. It was only after his criminal conviction that the initial 2006 application was acknowledged by authorities, and subsequently denied due to the conviction. This sequence of events contrasted with the intended efficiency of the expedited process under Executive Order 13269.

Following his combat service, Barco was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Later, he was involved in an incident leading to a criminal conviction, for which he served 15 years in prison. Throughout this period, the unresolved matter of his citizenship status persisted, compounded by the administrative handling of his applications.

Upon Sgt. Barco's release from incarceration in January 2025, his citizenship status became a critical factor. He was immediately detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In the absence of confirmed U.S. citizenship documentation, he was classified as an undocumented immigrant and faced deportation proceedings.

This circumstance has led to a legal and practical dilemma. Advocates describe his status as "virtually stateless," noting that Venezuelan authorities have reportedly declined to accept his deportation. The lack of definitive proof of his naturalization through military service has resulted in his continued detention within the U.S. immigration system, unable to be released into the community or transferred to another country.

Sgt. Jose Barco's case illustrates the challenges that can arise when citizenship documentation for non-citizen servicemembers is not fully processed or maintained. It underscores the importance of administrative accuracy in naturalization procedures for military personnel.

Ongoing advocacy for Barco seeks to resolve his citizenship status. His situation highlights the broader implications for non-citizen veterans and emphasizes the necessity of robust systems to confirm and protect the naturalization of individuals who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The resolution of his citizenship remains a key focus.

The legal process to resolve Sgt. Jose Barco's citizenship status is comprehensive and incurs significant costs. While his dedicated legal team is working pro bono, they require financial assistance to cover essential expenses directly related to his case.

Donations are critically needed to cover:

• Travel expenses: For legal team members to attend hearings, meet with Sgt. Barco in detention, and gather necessary information.
• Document processing fees: For the submission of crucial legal documents, immigration forms, and official records required throughout the naturalization and deportation defense processes.

Your contribution, no matter the size, directly supports the ongoing efforts to secure Sgt. Barco's rightful citizenship and ensures that a decorated veteran is not left in legal limbo.