20/07/2025
BREAKING NEWS | 18 Filipino Crew Members Removed from Cruise Ship in US Immigration Raid
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA โ At least 18 Filipino seafarers were forcibly removed in handcuffs from the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship at the Port of Norfolk, Virginia, and deported back to the Philippines โ triggering outrage from Filipino American communities and immigrant rights advocates.
According to a joint statement from the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), the workers were all holders of valid 10-year U.S. work visas and had not been charged with any crime. Yet, they now face a 10-year ban from re-entering the United States.
โThese crew members are dedicated parents and spouses with exemplary backgrounds, having passed rigorous background checks to obtain their work visas,โ the groups said. โTheir abrupt removal, accompanied by the cancellation of their visas and a shocking 10-year ban from re-entry, has inflicted deep humiliation and plunged their families into financial hardship.โ
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has acknowledged an ongoing operation but declined to provide specific details, according to a report by USA Today. Other cruise lines allegedly affected by similar actions include Viking and Pearl Seas Cruises.
The deportations have sparked fear among remaining crew members aboard the Carnival Sunshine, which is scheduled to dock again in Norfolk this Sunday. โThey are left in fear of being the next victims of these aggressive actions,โ PWC and NaFFAA added.
The groups denounced the raid as part of a โdisturbing national trendโ of deportations under โfalse pretenses,โ despite visa validity and no criminal charges filed. Advocates are now demanding accountability from CBP, Carnival Corporation, and the Philippine Embassy to protect the rights of Filipino seafarers and cruise ship workers.
๐บ This is a developing story. We will update once more information is available. Thank you.
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