A Nicaraguan immigrant whose son is serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln has been released from immigration custody, his family announced Tuesday, ending a brief but politically charged detention that drew attention to the treatment of military relatives under the Trump administration's enforcement policies.
Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, who has resided in the United States for nearly two decades, was taken into Border Patrol custody on Saturday in Key West, Florida, while his son, Navy sailor Josh Aviles, remained deployed in the Middle East. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrest, and Aviles Roa was booked into a Miami detention center before an immigration judge dismissed his case on Monday, according to reports.
In a Facebook update, the family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. "We are grateful for all of the support for both Luis and Josh throughout this situation," the post read. "At this moment, our family is taking time to be together. While we await the return of our proud Navy sailor, we kindly ask for your understanding and respect."
DHS officials declined to specify when Aviles Roa entered the country, but noted he is originally from Nicaragua. His son said his father was awaiting approval of a green card at the time of the arrest. A DHS spokesperson defended the enforcement action, stating, "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."
The sailor went public with his father's detention on the same day, describing the emotional toll of serving on a carrier already facing extended deployment and morale challenges. "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," Aviles wrote. "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 incident comes as the administration faces increasing scrutiny over immigration enforcement involving relatives of service members. This week, the wife of an active-duty U.S. soldier was reportedly deported to Honduras, making her at least the seventh family member of an active-duty service member to be removed from the country.
Democratic lawmakers have also ramped up pressure on the Navy and the Pentagon over conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, with Senate Democrats demanding detailed disclosures about the deployment. Reports of food shortages and grueling working conditions have fueled criticism, though some former military leaders caution that the situation may be exaggerated.
While Aviles Roa's release resolves his immediate detention, his immigration case remains unresolved, and his family has asked for privacy as they await the sailor's return. The episode underscores the delicate balance between immigration enforcement and the sacrifices of military families, a tension that is likely to persist as the administration continues its crackdown.
