Nearly 100 Filipino seafarers have been deported from the US this year, prompting diplomatic action from Manila. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, has sought explanations from the US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security over what it calls a “growing pattern” of crew denial and deportation at American ports.
Most affected sailors worked aboard cruise ships, including Carnival Sunshine, sailing from Norfolk, Virginia. Reports say they were detained, denied entry, and repatriated without formal charges. Crew removal cases have also surfaced on vessels operating on the Great Lakes and other US ports.
Philippine officials told the Senate that at least 93 deportations have occurred since January 2025, following new US immigration and visa policies under the Trump administration. These policies reportedly replaced long-standing multiple-entry seafarer visas with single-entry permits and shortened visa validity, disrupting employment continuity.
The US government maintains that the deportations comply with existing laws and regulations. However, maritime groups argue that the actions breach due process and harm thousands of Filipino seafarers, who make up one of the world’s largest maritime labor forces.
The Philippine Embassy continues to engage US authorities, demanding transparency and fair treatment for maritime professionals arriving in the United States. It is also working with unions, shipowners, and manning agencies to document the cases and assist the affected crew.
