A U.S. Navy sailor deployed to the Middle East is grappling with one of the most difficult challenges a service member can face: being separated from loved ones during a family crisis.
Joshua Aviles, currently serving his ninth month aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, learned this past weekend that his father, Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, was arrested by federal immigration authorities during a routine traffic stop in Key West, Florida. The arrest has left the sailor struggling to focus on his duties while thousands of kilometres away from home.
"I just got a call that my dad was taken by ICE. If you know my dad, you know he is a hardworking, humble man who is always willing to help anyone if he can," Aviles posted on Facebook over the weekend.
"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 confirmed that Aviles' father, a native of Nicaragua, entered the United States illegally. He is currently in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody facing deportation proceedings. DHS stated that the arrest was part of routine immigration enforcement.
"Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation's laws," the department said in a statement. "We are simply enforcing the laws passed by Congress."
A Family in Limbo
According to Katty Delgado, Joshua Aviles' half-sister, their father had been living in the United States for approximately 20 years and had a pending immigration application for legal status. She explained that he was heading to a mechanic's shop when Border Patrol officers stopped him.
The family notes that Luis Manuel Aviles Roa has no criminal record, yet he remains in custody as deportation proceedings move forward.
Delgado told reporters that communication with her half-brother has been inconsistent due to his overseas deployment, but when they do speak, his concern is singular: "Where is my dad? And how is he doing?" She added that the stress of the situation has taken a toll on the sailor's well-being, affecting his sleep and appetite.
Part of a Broader Pattern
This case is not isolated. Immigration arrests involving military families have increased significantly over the past 18 months under current enforcement policies. While historically uncommon, such arrests have become more frequent as federal immigration authorities have expanded enforcement operations across the country.
DHS has made clear that immigration status takes precedence over military service in enforcement decisions. Officials have stated that anyone in the country without proper legal status remains vulnerable to arrest and deportation proceedings, regardless of family military connections.
For Aviles, the situation underscores the personal toll that immigration policy can exact on those who serve their country far from home.
This article is based on reporting by CBS News.