Family Torn Apart by Deportation Fears in Aurora
An Aurora mother is raising her voice about the emotional turmoil her family is experiencing after her husband was abruptly detained by ICE, leaving them facing the threat of deportation. Alexandria Dowell expresses her anguish over her husband’s situation, saying, “His life is on the line, and we have a daughter. She cannot see her dad anymore. What does that mean for us?”
Background of the Case
Dowell, 27, met her husband, Ariel Cruz Penton, a 34-year-old Cuban immigrant, during a vacation in Miami about four years ago. Penton had been living and working in the U.S. after fleeing his home country as a political refugee. According to Dowell, “My husband came to the U.S. about seven years ago. When he came to the border, he presented himself and pleaded political asylum.”
Penton’s attorney, Carlos Dantes, revealed that federal agents allegedly pressured Penton into signing documents that unknowingly revoked his right to humanitarian parole. This parole was essential for him to remain in the U.S. while applying for asylum under the Cuban Adjustment Act, a pathway that often leads to residency. Instead, Penton received a deportation order.
A Family in Crisis
Dowell and Penton have been diligently working to reopen his case and apply for a green card, with applications for U.S. citizenship based on their marriage submitted over a year and a half ago. They believed progress was being made, especially after a recent immigration meeting held just weeks before Penton’s detention.
On June 10, when thousands protested against ICE across the nation, Penton was detained while at work. Dowell recounted, “Three unmarked cars just came up, cornered their cars in, had him get out of the car and arrested him. It makes no sense why someone with no criminal background would need that much force.” She added, “We pay our taxes, own a home, and are a family. Yet the system has failed us.”
Unexpected Deportation
On June 27, during a scheduled visit to the detention facility, Dowell discovered that her husband was removed that same morning and had already been scheduled for deportation. “What am I going to do? That’s my husband,” she lamented. “But I can’t do anything, and I have to be strong for my daughter.” She and her attorney were not informed of Penton’s removal until they made multiple inquiries.
Dantes noted, “Him being detained is a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong set of documents.” Despite a pending petition, he stressed that these circumstances seem to hold little weight in Penton’s situation.
The Role of ICE
After learning of her husband’s deportation order, Dowell’s emotions surged to a boiling point. “They said he’ll be out of the U.S. today or tomorrow, and I’m like, where? He’s a political refugee; you can’t just take him,” she emphasized.
In response to queries regarding Penton’s case and the lack of communication surrounding his removal, ICE stated it would require additional time for a full response.
The Wider Impact
Dowell hopes that her family’s struggles highlight the harsh realities faced by many families in similar situations. “It feels like no one is safe at this point, and that’s the scary part,” she remarked. Dowell and Dantes continue to seek avenues to prevent Penton’s deportation, particularly to Cuba.
| Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Asylum Application | May 30, 2019 | Penton enters the U.S. and applies for political asylum. |
| Detention | June 10, 2025 | Penton is detained by ICE while working. |
| Scheduled Deportation | June 27, 2025 | Dowell learns of Penton’s imminent deportation. |
