Eighteen Filipino workers aboard the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship were reportedly handcuffed, deported, and slapped with a decade-long ban from entering the United States—despite holding valid visas and having no criminal charges, according to Filipino American community groups.
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) revealed that the incident took place during a raid by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while the cruise ship was docked at the Port of Norfolk in Virginia.
In a joint statement, the groups condemned the action, describing it as “an alarming escalation of unjust immigration practices.” They stressed that the affected workers had been legally cleared to work in the U.S. and had passed strict background checks.
“These crew members are dedicated parents and spouses with exemplary backgrounds,” the groups said. “Their abrupt removal, accompanied by the cancellation of their visas and a shocking 10-year ban from reentry, has inflicted deep humiliation, plunging their families into dire financial straits.”
CBP has acknowledged an active operation but has not released further details, according to a report by USA Today. The same report confirmed that the workers had valid employment documents at the time of the raid.
With the Carnival Sunshine scheduled to return to Norfolk this Sunday, fear is mounting among the remaining crew members, many of whom now worry they could be the next to face removal.
NaFFAA and PWC pointed to what they say is a growing pattern: crew members from different cruise lines being deported without cause, despite valid papers.
“Community members are outraged by this blatant mistreatment of Filipino workers and are demanding accountability from Customs and Border Patrol, Carnival Corporate, and the Philippine Embassy,” they said.
