Father of sailor aboard the beleaguered USS Abraham Lincoln detained by immigration authorities, family says

Key Points:

• Luis Manuel Aviles, an immigrant from Nicaragua and father of a sailor aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, was detained by immigration officials in Key West, Florida, after being stopped during a traffic stop, according to family members and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Aviles has lived in the U.S. for approximately 20 years, and his family states he has no criminal history and holds a work permit, Social Security card, and driver's license; however, DHS confirmed his entry into the U.S. was illegal and he remains in custody pending removal proceedings.
• His son, Joshua Aviles, who is currently deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln, expressed heartbreak over the detention, emphasizing his father’s hard work and the emotional toll the situation is taking while he serves overseas.
• The DHS emphasized that having a family member in the military does not exempt individuals from immigration law enforcement, and military service by relatives does not guarantee legal status or immunity from detention.
• The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for over nine months, setting a Navy record for time without a port call, amid reports of deteriorating conditions onboard; the ship is currently returning to the U.S. West Coast.