Image Source: NBC News
USS Abraham Lincoln sailor Joshua Aviles was awaiting his return home after a record deployment when he learned that immigration authorities had detained his father in Key West, Florida, according to family members and the Department of Homeland Security.
Luis Manuel Aviles was taken into custody late Saturday morning near a Publix supermarket, where relatives said he was headed to a mechanic. His family told NBC News and Noticias Telemundo that the longtime Florida resident was looking forward to seeing his son after nearly nine months apart.
Shocking Detention Comes as USS Abraham Lincoln Heads Home
A Navy official confirmed that Joshua Aviles, 25, is a handling airman assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln. The aircraft carrier has been deployed at sea for approximately nine months, a period relatives described as exhausting for sailors and deeply difficult for their families.
“He was excited because he was finally going to be able to hug his son. And then, this happened,” Aviles’ wife told Noticias Telemundo. She asked that her name not be published.
The detention came as the USS Abraham Lincoln began its journey back to the West Coast. The Navy said Saturday that the carrier had officially left the Middle East and was en route to the United States. The trip could take a month or longer.
Critical Details From DHS and the Aviles Family
The Department of Homeland Security said Border Patrol arrested Luis Manuel Aviles during a traffic stop in Key West. The agency alleged that he entered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location and said he would remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody while removal proceedings continue.
“We are simply enforcing the laws passed by Congress. This Administration does not pick and choose which laws to enforce,” a DHS spokesperson said.
Aviles, originally from Nicaragua, has lived in the United States for about 20 years. His family said he worked for years as a handyman at hotels in Key West and held a work permit, Social Security card and driver’s license. Relatives also said he had been working toward obtaining legal status and had complied with paperwork requirements and scheduled visits to immigration offices.
Katty Delgado, Aviles’ stepdaughter, said the family was unaware of any arrest history or criminal allegations against him. She described him as hardworking and committed to supporting his family.
DHS responded that employment authorization or a pending immigration application does not establish lawful immigration status. The department also said that having an immediate family member in the military does not automatically provide parole, legal status or protection from immigration enforcement.
Record Deployment Adds Pressure on Military Families
The USS Abraham Lincoln left its home port of San Diego on Nov. 25 and went more than eight months without visiting a port in December or afterward, according to reporting cited by NBC News. That marked a Navy record for the longest period without a port call.
Families of sailors have reported concerns about difficult conditions, supply shortages and declining morale aboard the carrier. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said those claims were “completely misrepresented.” The Navy has now confirmed the ship’s departure from the Middle East as it begins the long voyage home.
Joshua Aviles wrote on Facebook that he has limited internet access but is doing everything possible to help secure his father’s release. In a message directed to Luis Manuel Aviles, he wrote: “I love you with all my heart. Please stay strong. I’m coming home, Dad.”
He also said he was struggling to maintain focus while working more than 12-hour days at sea and worrying about his father’s treatment in detention. The sailor said his father had been “fighting for a country that has given me everything.”
Broader Immigration Enforcement Debate
The case arrives amid an expanded immigration enforcement campaign under President Donald Trump. An Associated Press investigation recently found that immigration authorities had detained more than 50 parents and spouses of service members during Trump’s second term.
Military families can sometimes seek discretionary immigration protections through programs administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. However, the agency says those options are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It was not immediately clear whether Luis Manuel Aviles had applied for or received such protection.
- Luis Manuel Aviles was detained in Key West, Florida.
- His son Joshua is assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- The sailor has spent about nine months deployed at sea.
- DHS says Aviles faces removal proceedings.
- The aircraft carrier is traveling from the Middle East toward the West Coast.
For the Aviles family, the detention has transformed an anticipated reunion into a legal and emotional crisis. Joshua’s relatives say they are focused on understanding the case and bringing Luis Manuel Aviles home while the USS Abraham Lincoln continues its journey across the Pacific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Luis Manuel Aviles?
Luis Manuel Aviles is a Nicaraguan immigrant who has lived in the United States for about 20 years and worked in Key West. His family says he supported them through handyman and hotel-related jobs.
Why was Luis Manuel Aviles detained?
The Department of Homeland Security said Border Patrol detained him during a traffic stop and alleged that he entered the United States illegally. DHS said he would remain in ICE custody during removal proceedings.
What is the USS Abraham Lincoln’s current status?
The aircraft carrier has left the Middle East and is traveling toward the West Coast. The journey could take a month or longer, according to the Navy.
Does having a family member in the military prevent deportation?
DHS says military service by an immediate relative does not automatically grant legal status, parole or immunity from immigration enforcement. USCIS protections may be available in some cases, but they are discretionary and reviewed individually.
