Joshua Aviles, whose father Luis Manuel Aviles was detained in Key West, Florida, has been serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Middle East for more than nine months. His father was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Family friend Kathy Delgado said Luis Manuel Aviles, who moved to the United States from Nicaragua years ago, had lived in the country for about 20 years. Delgado said Aviles had never previously been detained and faced no charges.
Joshua Aviles said he learned that his father had been detained from a phone call by an ICE employee. Aviles said his father had a Social Security number and work authorization in the United States, and that the family was awaiting a decision on its green card application.
Joshua Aviles expressed concern, saying he did not know how he could continue working more than 12 hours a day while his father might be treated like a criminal somewhere.
Department of Homeland Security statement
A representative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security whose name was not disclosed said Border Patrol agents detained Luis Manuel Aviles while he was driving a vehicle stopped at a red light.
The representative said Aviles had entered the United States illegally and would remain in ICE custody while his deportation proceedings continued. The representative said that having work authorization or a pending application did not constitute legal status in the United States, and noted that having a family member serve in the military did not eliminate the obligation to comply with the country's laws.
USS Abraham Lincoln's return
The U.S. Department of Defense decided to send the USS George Washington aircraft carrier to the region after the USS Abraham Lincoln's crew served continuously for about 250 days and concerns were raised about the personnel's psychological well-being.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is currently returning to the United States.
