Luis Manuel Aviles, a 48-year-old handyman residing in Key West, Florida, was taken into custody by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. The arrest occurred as he was leaving his home to take his vehicle to a mechanic, according to his wife, Argelia Aviles. Originally from Nicaragua, Luis has lived in the United States for 19 years and maintains a valid work permit.
His detention coincides with a grueling period for his son, Joshua Aviles, who is currently serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln. The vessel recently established a U.S. military record for the longest uninterrupted time at sea, a deployment that has sparked significant concerns regarding equipment strain, food supply shortages, and the mental well-being of the crew. Joshua has reported working 12-hour shifts for over 250 consecutive days while deployed in the Middle East.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest, stating that Luis Aviles remains in ICE custody pending deportation proceedings. In a statement released Sunday, the department asserted that having a family member in the military does not grant immunity from national laws, noting that the current administration does not selectively enforce immigration statutes.
The arrest has devastated the family, who had been eagerly anticipating Joshua’s return. Argelia, 47, described her husband as a devoted father who works tirelessly to support his children. She noted that Luis had become increasingly distraught as the deployment stretched beyond the six-month mark, expressing a deep desire to reunite with his son after nine months of separation.
Joshua Aviles expressed his anguish in a social media post, questioning how he can remain focused on his duties while his father is potentially being treated like a criminal. His sister, Katherine Delgado, 28, explained that Joshua enlisted in the military partly to help secure a path to citizenship for their father and to alleviate the constant fear of deportation that had long shadowed their family.
The situation highlights the precarious nature of “military parole-in-place,” a program designed to allow spouses, children, and parents of active-duty personnel to obtain legal status from within the country. However, the benefit is not universal, as it excludes individuals who have overstayed visas or previously applied for status at the border. The current administration has been rolling back such protections as part of a broader mass deportation initiative, resulting in the detention of numerous family members of active-duty service members.
Data indicates that at least six family members of military personnel have been deported, with one individual self-deporting. In one instance, a soldier’s spouse was removed from a deportation flight to Brazil following external scrutiny. While the Pentagon has deferred all inquiries to the Navy, the Navy did not immediately provide a comment. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously dismissed reports regarding poor conditions aboard the USS Lincoln as misrepresentations.
For the Aviles family, the uncertainty is overwhelming. Delgado, who has spent significant funds sending care packages to her brother due to reports of food shortages on the ship, remains heartbroken. As the USS Lincoln prepares to conclude its mission, the family faces the grim reality that Joshua may return home to find his father already gone. The report also notes that possibly treated like a criminal,” Joshua Aviles wrote, i don’t know how I can mentally continue working 12+ hour days knowing that my dad is somewhere. The report also notes that katherine Delgado, 28, Joshua Aviles’ sister, said that Joshua joined the military in part because he thought it would improve his father’s chances of getting citizenship and so that he would “no longer be living in fear. The report also notes that who she calls her “best friend” and her “ride-or-die,” has been devastating, she said being apart from Joshua. The report also notes that “He dedicates himself only to work so he can put food on the table at home. The report also notes that the Navy didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on Sunday afternoon.