Father of USS Abraham Lincoln sailor detained by Border Patrol during traffic stop in Key West

Luis Manuel Aviles, originally from Nicaragua and father of USS Abraham Lincoln sailor Joshua Aviles, was detained by US Border Patrol during a vehicle stop in Key West, Florida on Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed. The detention occurred as the aircraft carrier was completing what has been described as a record-breaking deployment to the Middle East.

The Department of Homeland Security said Aviles entered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location and would remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. DHS did not specify an arrest record or criminal history in connection with the detention.

According to NBC News, Aviles' stepdaughter Katty Delgado said her stepfather has lived in the US for roughly 20 years, has no arrest history or criminal allegations against him, and was detained near a Publix supermarket while on his way to a mechanic, shortly after 11 a.m. ET.

Joshua Aviles, who has limited internet access aboard the carrier, posted on Facebook that his father possessed a driver's licence, Social Security card, and work permit, and was awaiting approval of his green card, according to Times of India. DHS, in a statement to Telemundo cited by NBC News, said that 'work authorization or a pending application do NOT confer legal status in the United States.'

In his Facebook post, 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. I just got a call that my dad was taken by ICE. 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 USS Abraham Lincoln left its home port of San Diego on November 25, according to NBC News, and broke a Navy record for time without a port call after going more than eight months since a port visit in December. The Navy confirmed Saturday that the carrier has left the Middle East en route to the US West Coast, a journey NBC News said could take a month or more.

According to NBC News, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said claims about conditions aboard the Lincoln have been 'completely misrepresented,' while relatives of sailors have described reports of deteriorating conditions and morale. Democratic lawmakers have reportedly sought answers after sailors' families raised concerns about conditions aboard the ship, according to Times of India.

According to NBC News, immigration authorities have detained more than 50 parents and spouses of active service members during the current administration's second term, citing a recent Associated Press investigation. NBC News also noted that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website states that discretionary protections for immediate family members of military personnel are considered on a 'case-by-case basis,' and it was not immediately clear whether Luis Manuel Aviles was enrolled in such a program.

DHS stated: 'Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation's laws. Military service by an immediate relative does not automatically grant parole, lawful status, or immunity from immigration enforcement.' According to Times of India, rights groups have criticised the Trump administration's immigration enforcement over alleged due-process violations and concerns about racial profiling.

Where sources differ

• The Times of India refers to the stop as a 'vehicle stop,' while NBC News describes it more specifically as a 'traffic stop' near a Publix supermarket as Aviles was headed to a mechanic.
• The Times of India states the Lincoln had been at sea for 'more than 200 consecutive days,' citing Democratic lawmakers, while NBC News describes the record as 'more than eight months since it visited a port in December,' without using the 200-day figure.
• The Times of India states the Lincoln 'reportedly' made no port call during the deployment period, framing this as unconfirmed, while NBC News states more directly that the carrier broke the Navy record for time without a port call.

• The exact date and circumstances under which Luis Manuel Aviles entered the United States have not been established by any source.
• Whether Luis Manuel Aviles was enrolled in any military family immigration protection or parole programme has not been confirmed.
• The current status or progress of Aviles' alleged pending green card application has not been independently verified.
• No response or statement from Luis Manuel Aviles himself is available in any source.
• No attorney or legal representative for Luis Manuel Aviles is quoted or identified in any source.
• The specific legal basis or triggering event for the traffic stop that led to the detention has not been detailed.
• What, if any, steps the US Navy or the military has taken or plans to take on behalf of Joshua Aviles or his father is not addressed in any source.
• The specific claims made by Democratic lawmakers regarding conditions aboard the Lincoln, and any official Navy response to those claims, are not detailed in the sources.

1. The Times of India — original — by Trisha Mahajan
2. NBC News — by NBCNews

Read the original at The Times of India

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