Key West, Fla. – The father of a U.S. Navy sailor serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln was released from federal immigration custody on Monday after a rapid dismissal of charges. Luis Manuel Aviles, 48, was taken into custody Saturday while taking his car to a mechanic, despite holding a valid work permit.
Family background and arrest
Aviles, a handyman who has lived in the United States for 19 years after arriving from Nicaragua, is married to Argelia Aviles. Their son, Petty Officer Joshua Aviles, has been deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln for a record‑breaking nine‑month stint in the Middle East. The ship’s extended sea time has drawn attention to supply shortages and the mental‑health strain on sailors.
According to the family, the arrest sparked an outpouring of support on social media. Joshua posted that his father had been detained in a Miami immigration center, and the next day an immigration judge dismissed the case, ordering Aviles’ release just hours after he was booked.
Immigration policy context
The incident occurs amid a wave of high‑profile immigration actions targeting immediate family members of enlisted service members. Officials in the Trump administration have emphasized a “zero‑tolerance” approach to illegal immigration, extending enforcement to relatives of military personnel. Congressional leaders have recently launched an investigation into the Department of Homeland Security’s practice of detaining family members of active‑duty service members.
Margaret Stock, an immigration attorney who represents military families, described the swift filing and dismissal of charges as “super unusual,” underscoring concerns that the policy may unintentionally punish those who serve the nation.
Impact on the sailor and his crew
Joshua Aviles shared on Facebook that he has been working twelve‑hour days without a break since the Lincoln left U.S. waters in November. The Navy confirmed his enlistment and noted his physically demanding duties, which include moving aircraft on the flight deck. The vessel is currently being relieved by another ship so it can return to the United States.
While the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately comment on the reasons for Aviles’ arrest or release, the rapid resolution has been hailed by the family as a relief and a reminder of the challenges faced by military families under current immigration enforcement.
Community response
Local residents and veteran groups in Key West expressed solidarity with the Aviles family, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who sacrifice for the country. The episode has reignited discussion about balancing immigration enforcement with the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens and legal residents, as well as the need to protect the welfare of service members and their families.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
