U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, a Nicaraguan citizen, during a vehicle stop in Key West, Florida, on Sunday. Aviles Roa is the father of Joshua Aviles, a U.S. Navy sailor currently deployed to the Middle East aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Aviles Roa is being held in federal immigration detention pending removal proceedings.
The arrest occurred while the USS Abraham Lincoln was supporting military operations in the war with Iran. The vessel recently set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea, having spent more than 200 days without a port call before leaving the Middle East on Saturday. Democratic lawmakers have requested information from the military regarding conditions on the ship following concerns raised by sailors' families.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Joshua Aviles stated that his father possessed a driver's license, Social Security card, and work permit at the time of his arrest. Aviles wrote that the family was in the process of applying for his father's green card and was waiting for approval. He described the situation as heartbreaking and noted the difficulty of performing 12-hour shifts while his father faced potential deportation.
A DHS spokesperson stated that Aviles Roa entered the country illegally and will remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The department stated that having a family member in the military does not provide an exemption from federal laws. The arrest is part of a broader immigration enforcement policy by President Donald Trump, which the administration states is intended to improve domestic security. Rights groups have argued that these actions have impacted due process and created safety concerns for ethnic minorities.
A person in this situation would notice an immediate change in their family's legal status and financial planning, as legal proceedings for removal can be lengthy and costly. The sailor noted he is working 12-hour shifts while his father is held by ICE, a situation that may impact the mental health and focus of active-duty personnel. For families awaiting green card approvals, such an arrest can interrupt the legal residency process, regardless of whether they possess temporary work permits or Social Security cards.
The incident highlights the intersection of federal immigration policy and military readiness. While the administration maintains the crackdown is a matter of national security, the impact on families of those serving in combat zones has drawn the attention of Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups. These groups raise concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of ethnic minorities under current enforcement protocols. What happens next depends on the federal removal proceedings for Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, whose case is now under the jurisdiction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. No specific court dates or deadlines were provided in the report.