Luis Manuel Aviles, 48, was arrested by immigration authorities in Key West, Florida, while his son was serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for an extended period. Aviles, originally from Nicaragua and a U.S. resident for 19 years, was apprehended after leaving home to take his car to the mechanic. His wife, Argelia Aviles, stated that he has a work permit and is a dedicated father.
The arrest occurred amid the Trump administration's changes to immigration protections for military families, which have reportedly led to the detention of several family members of active-duty service members. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Aviles' arrest and stated he will remain in ICE custody as the government seeks to deport him.
Aviles' son, Joshua, posted on Facebook about his challenging deployment, working long hours without a break while expressing concern for his father's situation. The Pentagon and Navy have not provided immediate comments regarding the conditions aboard the USS Lincoln or the impact of prolonged deployments on service members. Joshua's sister, Katherine, noted the emotional toll of the separation and the challenges faced by their family during this time.