Since April, 100+ Filipino seafarers aboard cruise ships calling at USA ports have been removed and deported under what local organizations describe as administrative actions lacking due process.
Among the vessels cited is Carnival Sunshine, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, from which 18 Filipino crew members were taken into custody in handcuffs and subsequently deported without formal charges or legal representation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reportedly cited allegations of child pornography possession but allegedly offered no supporting evidence, according to advocacy sources and legal observers.
Various ports from Norfolk to Port Canaveral, Florida, and even Great Lakes itineraries have been affected. In the Great Lakes, CBP removed crewmembers from vessels, including Victory I, Victory II, and Viking-operated ships, with approximately 13 individuals deported in mid-July.
Advocacy groups maintain that no criminal charges were filed and that those removed remained eligible to work, holding valid C1/D seaman visas. They contend these crew members were not given access to counsel, were barred from re-entry for ten years, and lacked formal, documented evidence supporting any allegations.
Local protests have emerged, notably outside Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center on July 20, when members of the Pilipino Workers Center and National Federation of Filipino American Associations called on cruise lines—particularly Carnival—to offer legal support and advocate for their crewmembers.
They emphasized that many of the seafarers were parents, spouses, and long-term legal workers whose removal caused sudden financial hardship and disrupted family stability.
Carnival has stated it is cooperating with law enforcement and noted that its crew undergo regular internet-safety training, describing the matter as an enforcement issue. Representatives of U.S. senators and congress members from Virginia urged federal authorities to explain the basis for these operations, stressing that due process is a foundational value under the U.S. Constitution.
One deported crew member from Carnival Sunshine, a 29‑year‑old galley attendant, denied the allegations and asserted he was innocent, emphasizing his commitment to supporting his family and complying with all regulations aboard ship.
Another affected individual spoke of stress and reputational harm following the sudden visa revocation and deportation.
Maritime‑legal analysts note that the absence of probable cause affidavits—required when an arrest leads to criminal charges—is evidence that no formal criminal process was initiated in many cases.
The consistent seizure of phones, revocation of visas, and blanket re-entry bans, without judicial oversight, has prompted calls for greater transparency and redress.
This unfolding situation joins a broader pattern of U.S. immigration enforcement involving cruise crew members. Since April, routine port calls have been shadowed by unexpected CBP interventions, leading to concerns among maritime operators about staffing stability and passenger service continuity.