Father of US sailor released following immigration detention in Florida

Automatically translated from Spanish. Read the original in Spanish

Luis Manuel Avilés, the immigrant father of a sailor serving on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was released from immigration detention this Tuesday. The man was able to return to his family after being apprehended by authorities this past weekend, an event that drew national attention due to the situation of his son, who is deployed at sea.

Confirmation of his release was shared by his son, Joshua Avilés, through a statement on social media. Joshua, who serves as a sailor specializing in aircraft handling operations, has been on the aircraft carrier for 9 months, which represents a record time of uninterrupted deployment for the US military. In the message, the family expressed their gratitude for the support received and asked for privacy as they reunite and await the sailor’s return.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not issue comments regarding the release. Previously, the DHS had confirmed that the Border Patrol arrested Avilés last Saturday during a traffic stop in Key West, Florida, where the family resides. The agency argued that the 47-year-old man, a native of Nicaragua, entered the country illegally on a date and at a location that were not specified, keeping him in ICE custody.

Avilés has lived in the United States for 20 years, working primarily in hotel maintenance in Key West. His younger son, Luis Avilés, and his stepdaughter, Katty Delgado, have defended his record, asserting that he always acted correctly. According to Luis Avilés, his father was working to obtain legal status and strictly complied with his appointments at immigration offices. For her part, Delgado noted that her stepfather had a work permit, Social Security card, driver’s license, and an active asylum case.

The family has also filed immigration petitions for Luis Manuel to remain legally in the country. Regarding inquiries about these documents, the DHS responded that having a family member in the military does not constitute a free pass to break national laws. The agency emphasized that the military service of a direct relative does not automatically grant legal status, parole, or immunity from the enforcement of immigration laws.

The case gained relevance when Joshua Avilés shared his anguish from the USS Abraham Lincoln. The sailor recounted that, after receiving the news, it was difficult for him to focus on his work shifts, which exceed 12 hours a day, while thinking about his father’s situation. Joshua described his father as a hardworking and humble man whose only goal was to provide a better life for his children.

The Navy reported on Saturday that the USS Abraham Lincoln began its journey from the Middle East toward the West Coast, a trip that could last for a month or more. Meanwhile, the Avilés family seeks to return to normalcy. It is worth remembering that the news platform offers constant coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including breaking news reports and special analysis, as detailed in the Telemundo 51 programming.