UPDATE: Robert was detained in March in New York City during a scheduled check-in at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office and now is at imminent risk of deportation. Sign the petition now to release Robert, stop his deportation, and keep him home with his family and community. 

Robert Panton, a Black man from Harlem, has lived in the United States for 50 years. He is a devoted father, grandfather, and respected role model. But now ICE is trying to deport him for a single criminal conviction from over 30 years ago to a country he does not know, tearing him from his beloved community and family despite his transformation and years of service to those around him.  

In Harlem, New York, where he grew up, Robert is a renowned community leader famous for his work mentoring and teaching youth through critical community programs. Robert’s devotion to his neighbors is his way of passing on the lessons he learned through incarceration and transformation.  

Robert served more than 30 years in prison for a single drug offense during the height of the U.S. government’s “War on Drugs.” Like many other Black men, Robert suffered the disproportionate treatment of the racially unjust criminal legal system. Today, due to recent reforms, that same conviction would likely result in a sentence of one-third the time he served.     

But now, even after fully serving his harsh sentence, Robert faces a second punishment: deportation and separation from his children, grandchildren and his beloved Harlem. This is due to the broken U.S. immigration system that doles out a double punishment for Black men like Robert. Even up against this injustice, Robert continues every day to give of himself to his loved ones and his community.  

Last year, Robert was granted deferred action and a temporary halt on his deportation, but ICE detained him during his check-in in March. Recently, a federal judge declined to order Robert’s release or halt his deportation.  

Despite his exceptional service to Harlem and support from New Yorkers and members of Congress, ICE is trying to deport Robert. Robert deserves an overdue second chance so he can continue to serve the many loved ones and young people in Harlem who depend on him. 

ICE has the power to keep Robert home with his community. Harlem is stronger with him at home. Sign the petition now!