U.S. Navy sailor Joshua Aviles learned of his father’s arrest by federal immigration officers during his ninth month aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The aircraft carrier has been noted for reports highlighting mental health challenges and difficult conditions faced by its service members.
Aviles revealed the situation on Facebook, expressing distress about his father, whom he described as a hard worker and a humble person. “This is heartbreaking for me,” Aviles wrote, describing the emotional toll of working long hours while worrying about his father’s treatment.
Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, Aviles’ father from Nicaragua, was apprehended by Border Patrol in Key West, Florida. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed his arrest during a traffic stop, citing his illegal entry into the United States. He remains in ICE custody, with deportation proceedings underway. DHS acknowledged that Aviles lacks a criminal record but emphasized that having a family member in the military does not exempt one from legal consequences.
The DHS emphasized, “We are simply enforcing the laws passed by Congress,” adding that the Administration does not selectively enforce laws. Aviles’ father’s apprehension exemplifies the increasing frequency of immigration enforcement impacting military families. This trend has gained traction under the current Trump administration, which revoked previous limits on such arrests.
Officials from DHS have maintained that anyone in the United States illegally is subject to arrest and deportation processing, which applies even in scenarios involving military families.
Aviles also noted the USS Abraham Lincoln’s lengthy deployment in the Middle East. “I’ve been deployed for over nine months,” he said, reflecting on his service and its challenges. The carrier and its approximately 5,000 crew are now journeying back to the U.S., a trip expected to span several weeks.