Parentless: ICE Deports Father Whose Army Wife was Killed in Afghanistan

Update 10am April 16:  ICE has apparently reversed this decision:

“I’m relieved to now learn that Mr. Gonzalez has beeon allowed to re-enter the states and be reunited with his daughter, but to story of his arrest is just another example of the president’s inhumane immigration policies,” Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz. said in a written statement.

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Under Donald Trump’s administration, deportations were up 13% in the year, 2018. The reasons for deportations are varied, for reasons ranging from criminality to simple paperwork discrepancies.

One group that would hopefully be safe from being deported would be family members of  those who are fighting in the US military. This, unfortunately, wasn’t the case for Jose Gonzalez Carranza, who is being deported after his Army veteran spouse was killed in Afghanistan.

Gonzalez Carranza worked as a welder in Phoenix, Arizona. His wife, Army Pfc, Barbara Vieyra, was killed in action in September of 2010. The couple shared a daughter who is now 12 years old.

Gonzalez-Carranza said of his daughter,”I feel so bad. I’m thinking about, I might never see her again.” His lawyer, Ezequiel Hernandez, echoes those sentiments, “There are plenty of people you can go after but not a guy whose wife died in Afghanistan.” Pod Save America Co-Host, Tommy Vietor agrees. The former spokesperson for President Obama simply tweeted, “This is evil.”

This is evil. https://t.co/uFG0Dl2jvi

— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) April 16, 2019

The grieving husband, who came to the country in 2004, has been deported to Nogales, Mexico. His daughter is currently living with her grandparents in Mesa, Arizona. While Gonzalez-Carranza was not in the country legally, he has no criminal record. His lawyer reiterates, “This guy’s wife died in action in Afghanistan.”

The bereaved husband will have aid in his fight to remain in the country and raise his daughter. Lawyers for Gonzalez-Carranzo have reached out to Arizona Senator, Kyrsten Simena (D). Sinema’s office says, “Our office is in communication with Mr. Carranza’s attorney and we will assist the Carranza family in this process.”