Related videos:
Alexandria Dowell arrived at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Aurora, Colorado, to visit her husband, the Cuban Ariel Cruz Penton. Instead of seeing him, she received a baffling response: "Your husband is not here". No one could tell her where he was.
Cruz Penton was arrested on June 10 by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while working at a secondary job. Since then, his situation has been uncertain, his wife told CBS News.
Three unmarked cars intercepted him and handcuffed him without presenting a warrant or providing explanations. "All this operation... for just one man. A man with no prior offenses. A man who has never posed a threat to anyone," his wife lamented in a message posted on GoFundMe.
The family reports that ICE forced him to sign documents without adequate legal representation, which prevented him from accessing parole and political asylum, despite having passed a credible fear interview after applying for refuge at the border.
"She signed without knowing what it was. She had no lawyer, and that changed everything.", stated Dowell, a U.S. citizen, who has fought alongside her husband for the past four years to stop his deportation.
The couple submitted Form I-130 to apply for Cruz Penton's residency based on marriage, as well as requesting the reopening of his immigration case. However, a judge denied the request for parole. The family has appealed the decision and continues to fight legally with the support of their lawyers.
During a visit with her two-year-old daughter, Alexandria was unable to hug her husband. She could only see him through a thick glass and speak to him over the phone. “I pressed my hand against the cold glass, looking at the man I love on the other side... and there was nothing I could do to bring him back”, she wrote.
Ariel is currently detained along with four other individuals, with limited access to phone calls and no clear information about his case. He was unable to communicate with his family even on Father's Day. His car remains parked in front of the house, and his daughter runs to the window every time she sees it, thinking that her dad has come home from work.
Last Friday, after a long wait in the visiting room, Dowell was informed that her husband was no longer at the Aurora detention center.
"My heart sank... I thought: 'Where are they taking him?'", she recalled through tears. Then, at 3:30 p.m. they learned he had been transferred to El Paso, Texas, and that he could be deported at any moment.
The most alarming thing is that, according to the wife, the officers tried to get Cruz Penton to sign a deportation order to Mexico, a country he is not originally from. “It doesn’t matter if you do everything right... it’s in the hands of whoever reviews your case”, said Dowell.
The family, consisting of Dowell, his daughter, and Cruz Penton, maintains that they have done everything right: they are homeowners, pay taxes, and he has no criminal record. "This is their home. It’s not Cuba, it’s not Mexico. It’s here, with us,” she expressed.
While the legal battle continues, they have launched a campaign on GoFundMe, which has already raised more than $11,000 of the $20,000 needed to cover legal and living expenses while they fight to stop the deportation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Ariel Cruz Penton
Why was Ariel Cruz Penton detained by ICE?
Ariel Cruz Penton was detained by ICE agents without a warrant or clear explanations. He was intercepted by unmarked vehicles while at work, which has raised uncertainty about his legal status and concern for his family.
What arguments does Ariel Cruz Penton's family present to stop his deportation?
Ariel Cruz Penton’s family argues that he has no criminal record and has complied with all laws. They have applied for residency through marriage and have requested the reopening of his immigration case, also noting that Ariel is a responsible husband and father who has built his home in the United States.
What is the emotional impact on Ariel Cruz Penton's family due to his arrest?
The arrest of Ariel Cruz Penton has had a deep emotional impact on his family. His wife, Alexandria Dowell, and their daughter have been affected by the forced separation, having to communicate with him only through glass during visits, which has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and sadness in their home.
How is the community acting to support Ariel Cruz Penton?
The community has shown its support for Ariel Cruz Penton through a campaign on GoFundMe, which has raised over $11,000 to cover legal and living expenses while they fight against his deportation. This effort aims to bring visibility to the case and support the family in their legal battle.
Filed under: