Father of USS Abraham Lincoln sailor was taken into ICE detention while son is on a nine-month Middle East deployment

The father of a sailor currently serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln has been taken into federal immigration detention. Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, who is originally from Nicaragua, was arrested by Border Patrol following a vehicle stop in Key West, Florida. A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest on Sunday, The Guardian reported.

Joshua Aviles, the son of the detained man, shared the situation regarding his father on social media. He is currently deployed in the Middle East and has been at sea for over nine months. Joshua Aviles wrote, “I’ve been deployed for over nine months, out at sea in the Middle East aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, fighting for a country that has given me everything.” He added, “I just got a call that my dad was taken by ICE.”

The situation is incredibly difficult for the sailor, who remains on the ship during its deployment. Joshua Aviles noted that his father possessed a driver’s licence, a Social Security card, and a work permit. He stated, “We have done everything through immigration to get his green card approved, and we are just waiting. This is heartbreaking for me. I don’t know how I can mentally continue working 12+ hour days knowing that my dad is somewhere, possibly being treated like a criminal.”

The Department of Homeland Security provided a statement regarding the status of Luis Manuel Aviles Roa

The agency claims that he entered the country illegally and will remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention while awaiting removal proceedings. The department also stated, “Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation’s laws.”

This incident comes at a time of increased scrutiny regarding immigration enforcement. Various rights groups have expressed concerns that the crackdown occurring under President Donald Trump has created an unsafe environment and impacted due process. Many of these groups have raised alarms about racial profiling, particularly as it affects ethnic minorities.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been stationed in the Middle East during the Iran war. The ship finally departed the region on Saturday. It has been a grueling deployment for the crew, as the vessel did not make a single port call in more than 200 days. This duration marks a modern-day record for the number of consecutive days spent at sea. Democratic lawmakers have requested information regarding this deployment after families of the crew expressed worries about low morale and the living conditions on the carrier.

As the USS Abraham Lincoln leaves the area, the USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East to take over operations. The USS George Washington reached the region last week and is expected to relieve the departing carrier.