Key West, Fla. – The Aviles family announced Tuesday that Luis Manuel Aviles, a 47‑year‑old illegal immigrant who has lived in the United States for two decades, was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and is now back with his loved ones.
Family statement
Joshua Aviles, a Navy handling airman deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln for nine months, posted a statement on social media confirming his father’s release. “Luis has been released back to our family. We are grateful for all of the support for both Luis and Josh throughout this situation,” the statement read. The family asked for privacy as they await the ship’s return to the West Coast.
Detention details
DHS confirmed that Border Patrol agents arrested Aviles on Saturday during a traffic stop in Key West. Officials said he entered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location and was placed in ICE detention. The agency declined to comment further on the release.
Aviles, originally from Nicaragua, has worked as a handyman for local hotels. His youngest son, Luis Aviles, told Noticias Telemundo that his father “never hid, he always did things the right way,” and that he has been pursuing legal status through the proper paperwork.
Legal background
According to the family, Aviles holds a work permit, a Social Security number, a driver’s license, and an active asylum case. They also filed immigration petitions to secure lawful status for him. DHS responded to inquiries with a reminder that “having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation’s laws,” emphasizing that military service does not automatically grant parole or lawful status.
Impact on service members
The detention drew national attention after Joshua Aviles shared his concerns on Facebook, describing his father’s situation as “heartbreaking” and noting that his only “crime” was seeking a better life for his children. The USS Abraham Lincoln has recently left the Middle East and is en route to the West Coast, a voyage that may take a month or more.
Local leaders and faith‑based groups have expressed sympathy for the Aviles family, underscoring the importance of supporting military families while respecting immigration laws. The case highlights the tension between immigration enforcement and the sacrifices made by service members and their relatives.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
