Baltimore Protest Filipino Seafarers Deportation by Carnival Pride

(BALTIMORE, MARYLAND) About 35 people gathered at the Baltimore cruise terminal on September 14, 2025, to protest the deportation of four Filipino seafarers from the Carnival Pride a week earlier. The crew members were removed from the ship in Baltimore on September 7, 2025, after U.S. federal agents boarded while the vessel was docked. The removals have sparked anger among labor groups and the Filipino community, who say the workers were denied due process.

Organizers from Malaya Movement Baltimore and Tanggol Migrante led the protest, urging Carnival Cruise Line and U.S. authorities to ensure fair treatment for migrant workers. They also criticized the Philippine government’s silence. Speakers said the deportations show how vulnerable foreign crew members are when facing sudden detention at a U.S. seaport, with little chance to get legal help before being sent home.

What happened in Baltimore

According to organizers and crew accounts, the four men—one a galley steward—were awakened in their cabins, handcuffed, searched, and taken off the ship. Authorities accused them of involvement in child pornography, an accusation the workers denied.

They were:
– Questioned for several hours
– Fingerprinted and photographed
– Placed in detention cells
– Flown to Manila via Doha, Qatar

Their passports were returned at the gate just before boarding. One crew member said he was forced to walk barefoot and remove outer garments in cold conditions while handcuffed.

As of September 15, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued no public statement. Carnival Cruise Line said, “This is a law enforcement matter of which we always cooperate, and we defer to the authorities for further comment.” Matt Lupoli, a company spokesperson, reiterated that stance. Organizers argue the company failed to protect its workers.

The Baltimore protest followed reports of similar actions at other U.S. ports. Organizers say more than 100 Filipino seafarers have been deported from U.S. seaports over the past year, often under allegations that are never proven. In August 2025, 28 Filipino workers were removed from a Carnival ship in Norfolk, Virginia. Those claims have not been independently confirmed by officials, but they have intensified concern among crews and families in the Philippines.

Legal and policy questions

Advocacy groups say the removals raise due process concerns. They point to opaque procedures that start with on-board detention, followed by quick transfers to airports and long flights home—often before the worker can contact a lawyer.

Key concerns include:
– Rapid on-board detention with little notice
– Quick transfers to airports and immediate deportation
– Limited or no access to counsel while still in the U.S.
– Potential misinterpretation of personal or family photos as illicit material
– No clear public appeal path for seafarers detained during port calls

Immigration law treats crew differently from most travelers, especially when a ship docks at a U.S. port. That often gives federal agents wide room to act quickly in matters tied to immigration or suspected crimes. But the lack of a clear appeal path for detained seafarers troubles advocates. They say workers on short U.S. calls face a “detain and deport” pipeline with few checks. There is no public record of a formal process that allows seafarers to contest removal while still in the United States 🇺🇸.

The case also puts pressure on Manila. Protest leaders urged the Philippine government to:
– Condemn forced removals
– Secure better protections for citizens working at sea
– Stop deportations to third countries
– Provide counseling and financial assistance for affected crew

They called for stronger bilateral agreements so accused seafarers can get legal access and fair hearings before deportation.

Industry implications and calls for reform

Industry observers note the cruise sector relies heavily on Filipino seafarers. The Philippines supplies a large share of the global maritime workforce. Advocates say that reality should push cruise lines to adopt stronger safeguards when law enforcement boards a ship:

Suggested safeguards:
– Clear notification to the crew member about allegations and actions
– Prompt access to legal help and translation services
– Independent oversight of searches and questioning
– Documentation of all steps from detention to transfer

While Carnival says it defers to authorities, protesters argue a basic duty of care still applies onboard. Labor groups maintain cruise lines can cooperate with law enforcement while protecting crew dignity and rights.

Philip Coronado, a former Filipino seafarer, urged the public to focus on due process and support for the affected men and their families. Mark Rodrigo of Malaya Movement Baltimore criticized both U.S. authorities and the Philippine government, saying economic pressures force Filipinos to take tough jobs far from home, only to face sudden removal with limited rights when docked in a U.S. port.

The protest comes amid a wider debate over port enforcement that dates back to the Trump years. Immigration enforcement at U.S. ports expanded during the Trump administration, according to advocates, and appears to be holding steady. While the broader legal framework spans several agencies, the practical effect for crews has been quicker removals and fewer chances to contest them. The lack of a clear, public process creates confusion for workers and employers alike.

Carnival’s role and public pressure

Carnival’s role remains under scrutiny. Protesters say the company should:
– Provide immediate legal access when allegations arise
– Ensure translation and clear communication
– Document all steps from detention to transfer

Labor groups argue cruise lines can take these steps while still cooperating with authorities. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, public pressure on major cruise operators has grown as reports of rapid removals spread through port cities and maritime communities.

Human impact and advocacy demands

For families in the Philippines, the impact is immediate and severe:
– A sudden loss of wages during a contract can push relatives into debt
– The stigma of an unproven allegation can follow a worker and block future jobs at sea

Advocates are pressing for:
– Trauma support and temporary relief funds
– Clear statements from both governments affirming the presumption of innocence
– Independent investigations and a transparent protocol for shipboard arrests
– Written guarantees of access to counsel and how evidence (e.g., from mobile devices) is collected, preserved, and reviewed

“There should be a path that allows Filipino seafarers and other migrant crew to challenge removal, see the evidence against them, and seek legal help before a flight home,” organizers said.

Where to find official information

People with questions about immigration enforcement actions can consult official information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the agency’s website: https://www.ice.gov. That site explains agency roles and how to contact public affairs for inquiries. It does not, however, set out a special appeal process for seafarers removed after a port call.

For now, the Baltimore protest has kept the spotlight on the Carnival Pride episode. Organizers say they will keep gathering at the Baltimore cruise terminal and other ports until there is a path that allows Filipino seafarers and other migrant crew to challenge removal, see the evidence against them, and seek legal help before a flight home. Whether officials or cruise lines move to change current practices remains to be seen.