Father of USS Lincoln sailor taken into ICE detention while son deployed in Middle East; ship set record with 200+ days at sea

The father of Joshua Aviles, a sailor aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, was detained by ICE after a traffic stop in Key West, Florida. Joshua, who has been deployed for over nine months, expressed his distress on social media, stating, "I just got a call that my dad was taken by ICE."¹³

Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, originally from Nicaragua, was arrested despite holding a driver's license, social security card, and work permit. Joshua lamented, "We have done everything through immigration to get his green card approved, and we are just waiting. This is heartbreaking for me." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Aviles Roa entered the U.S. illegally and would remain in detention pending removal proceedings, emphasizing that "Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation's laws."

The USS Abraham Lincoln recently set a record for consecutive days at sea, remaining deployed for over 200 days without a port call, raising concerns among families about the sailors' living conditions and morale. Democratic lawmakers have called for answers regarding the situation aboard the ship, which has been a source of stress for families like Joshua's.²

As Joshua continues his service, he faces the emotional toll of his father's detention, stating, "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."