Four Filipino Crew Members Deported from Carnival Pride at Baltimore – September 7, 2025

Introduction
On September 7, 2025, four Filipino crew members working aboard Carnival Pride were detained and deported after the ship docked at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland. The deportations follow a pattern of similar enforcement actions targeting Filipino seafarers on U.S.-based cruise ships in recent months, raising due process concerns.

Details of the Detention

Cabin Search and Removal:

• According to testimony shared with Marino PH, U.S. authorities entered crew cabins in the early morning hours of September 7.
• One seafarer, a galley steward, reported being ordered to pack his belongings before being handcuffed and searched.
• He, along with three other Filipino crew members, was escorted off the ship under guard.

Interrogation and Allegations:

• The group was interrogated for several hours and accused of involvement in child pornography, which they uniformly denied.
• No formal charges, evidence, or legal representation were provided during the process.

Deportation Process:

• The crew were transported to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, where they were fingerprinted, photographed, and held in detention cells overnight.
• The following day, they were flown to Manila via Doha, Qatar. Their passports were returned only at the airport gate.
• One seafarer described being forced to walk barefoot, remove outer garments in cold conditions, and carry his bag while handcuffed behind his back until boarding.

Aftermath and Advocacy Response:

• The affected crew members have since returned to the Philippines, though their legal status in relation to U.S. authorities remains unclear.
• Marino PH and other advocacy groups condemned the treatment, citing violations of due process and human dignity.
• The case highlights the vulnerability of Filipino seafarers in U.S. port detention scenarios and has renewed calls for stronger legal protections.