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Introduction
On August 21, 2025, four Filipino crew members aboard Carnival Sunshine were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while the ship was docked at Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. The individuals were deported the following day, escalating concerns over due process in recent CBP operations targeting cruise ship crew members.
Details of the Incident
Detention and Deportation:
- Three male crew members and one female crew member were removed from Carnival Sunshine on August 21.
- The detainees, despite holding valid C1/D crew visas, were accused of participating in a group chat allegedly linked to child pornography.
- All four denied the accusations, and no formal charges, evidence, or convictions were presented.
- They were held overnight at a hotel near Norfolk International Airport before being flown out of the United States the next morning.
Due Process Concerns:
- Advocacy groups state that none of the detained crew were provided access to legal counsel during the process.
- They argue that deportations may be motivated by quota pressures rather than substantiated legal cases.
- Critics highlight that deported workers now face ten-year bans on re-entry to the U.S., causing financial hardship for their families.
Carnival and CBP Response:
- Carnival Cruise Line confirmed its cooperation with federal authorities, describing the matter as a law enforcement operation outside its control.
- CBP has declined to release detailed statements, citing the ongoing nature of federal investigations.
Context and Wider Pattern:
- This latest deportation raises the total number of Carnival Sunshine crew removed from Norfolk since April 2025 to 28.
- Other cruise operators in the Great Lakes and Florida have reported similar CBP interventions involving Filipino seafarers.
- Filipino advocacy groups, including the Pilipino Workers Center, have staged protests, demanding transparency and legal protections for affected crew.