A Key West resident, Luis Aviles, who has lived and worked in the city for two decades, was detained by Border Patrol agents on August 22 following a traffic stop. His son, Navy sailor Joshua Aviles, publicly announced his father's detention via Facebook from the Middle East, where he is serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln.

Navy Son's Plea Goes Viral

Joshua Aviles described his father as a hardworking, humble man who has always helped others. He stated that his father possessed a driver's license, Social Security card, and work permit, and that the family had been actively pursuing a green card for him. The sailor expressed heartbreak at the thought of his father being treated like a criminal while he was deployed. He vowed to do everything he could to bring his father home.

The son's Facebook post gained significant traction, being covered by national and international news outlets, including The Associated Press and The New York Times. This widespread attention coincided with a surge in immigration enforcement activity in Key West, with both Hispanic and Haitian immigrants reportedly being arrested during that period.

Release and Family Response

Luis Aviles, 48, was released from immigration custody on August 25 and returned to his family. According to records, Aviles has only one traffic violation and has worked for 20 years as a handyman, often for local hotels. His family emphasized that he had always complied with immigration procedures and was working towards legal status.

In a subsequent Facebook post, the Aviles family expressed gratitude for the support received and stated they were taking time to be together. They requested privacy and understanding as they awaited Joshua Aviles's return from his deployment. The family also noted that Luis Aviles was not considered among individuals deemed the most serious criminal offenders by the U.S. government.

Immigration Enforcement in Key West

The detention of Luis Aviles occurred amidst a noticeable increase in immigration enforcement actions in Key West. Lucy Hawk, a co-founder of the Key West Immigrant Support Network, informed the Keys Weekly that her organization was aware of at least 46 immigrants being taken into custody that month. Hawk reported observing new agents in the area and noted instances where individuals with proper documentation were detained due to issues with passengers they were transporting.

A Department of Homeland Security statement, as reported by a Fox News affiliate, indicated that having a family member in the military does not exempt individuals from immigration laws or automatically grant them parole or lawful status. The department stated that military service by a relative does not confer immunity from immigration enforcement.

The situation highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement and its impact on families within the Keys community. For further details on immigration enforcement and detainments in Key West, one can refer to reports from Keys Weekly.