A sailor serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln has publicly disclosed that his father was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), adding a personal dimension to the ongoing controversy over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Joshua Aviles, who has been deployed for roughly nine months in the Middle East amid the Iran conflict, wrote on Facebook that he received a call informing him of his father's detention. Aviles described his father as a hardworking, humble man who has a driver's license, Social Security card, and work permit, and who was awaiting approval of a green card at the time of the arrest.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the detention to NBC News on Sunday. A DHS spokesperson defended the action, stating, "We are simply enforcing the laws passed by Congress. This Administration does not pick and choose which laws to enforce," and added that "work authorization or a pending application do NOT confer legal status in the United States."
Aviles expressed profound distress, writing, "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." He emphasized that his father's only "crime" was coming to the U.S. to give his children a better life.
The sailor's account comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE practices under President Trump. Democrats have reported that ICE has arrested 125 veterans and attempted to deport at least 282 veterans and family members. In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Democratic lawmakers warned of a "chilling effect" on service members and their families, who may avoid accessing bases, medical care, or support services out of fear of detention or deportation.
The USS Lincoln has been at the center of a separate controversy over extended deployment and reported morale and supply issues. The Navy has ordered the carrier home after nine months, but questions persist about crew conditions. Senate Democrats have demanded Hegseth disclose deployment details, and House Democrats have also sought answers on crew welfare. Some reports have suggested the turmoil may be exaggerated, but the human impact is undeniable.
Aviles's case highlights the intersection of military service and immigration enforcement, raising concerns about the treatment of service members' families. The Hill reached out to ICE for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
