The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is now coordinating with the US-based Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) to assist more than 100 Filipino cruise ship workers who have reportedly been detained and deported by US immigration authorities since April this year.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac earlier assured assistance for the “deported” crew members of the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship.
In a social media post, the DMW head guaranteed support for the 18 Filipino crew members who were “forcibly removed” while docked at the Port of Norfolk in Virginia, United States.
“We will provide assistance to them,” Cacdac said.
According to the PWC and immigrant rights groups, the workers were removed without being formally charged with any crime. They have also been banned from returning to the US for the next ten years.
PWC Executive Director Aquilina Versoza said 21 Filipino crew members from the Carnival Sunshine were taken by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) between April 13 and July 12, 2025.
She said they were deported to the Philippines and banned from reentry for ten years, even though they held valid 10-year visas. The detentions happened during CBP raids.
Versoza added that another 80 Filipino crew members from Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Vista, both based in Port Canaveral, Florida, were deported between April and May this year. All three cruise ships are operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
The DMW has advised manning agencies to improve their pre-departure orientation programs by including training on child pornography laws and sexual violence awareness.
