U.S. Navy sailor Joshua Aviles, currently serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln, revealed through a recent Facebook post, the arrest of his father by federal immigration officials. Luis Manuel Aviles Roa was apprehended during a traffic stop in Key West, Florida. He remains in custody facing deportation proceedings.
Joshua Aviles expressed his anguish regarding the situation. He described his father as a hardworking, humble person who helps others whenever possible. He lamented not being able to focus on work due to the uncertainty surrounding his father’s treatment in custody.
When contacted by CBS News, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Aviles Roa was arrested by Border Patrol agents for entering the U.S. illegally. DHS stated that even military family members are not exempt from immigration laws and the department enforces laws passed by Congress without preference.
“Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation’s laws,” DHS stated. “This Administration does not pick and choose which laws to enforce.”
The arrest reflects a trend affecting military families, with immigration enforcement operations becoming more frequent. Under the second Trump administration, previous limits on arrests by ICE and Border Patrol were rescinded, increasing vulnerability for family members without legal status.
Joshua Aviles highlighted the lengthy deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier, alongside approximately 5,000 crew members, has recently departed from the region, beginning its journey back to San Diego.
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