Protest Erupts at Baltimore Cruise Terminal Over Seafarer Deportations

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the cruise terminal at the Port of Baltimore on September 10, 2023, to voice their opposition to the alleged detention and deportation of four Filipino seafarers. The seafarers were reportedly taken from a Carnival ship while it was docked in Baltimore the previous week.

According to Marino PH, the largest maritime community in the Philippines, the four individuals were arrested on accusations of child pornography and questioned about drug possession on September 7. In response, Carnival Cruise Line stated that arrests are a law enforcement matter and emphasized that the company will “always cooperate” with authorities. Officials from Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and Customs Border Protection (CBP) did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.

Concerns Over Treatment of Filipino Workers

Protesters stood against the backdrop of the Carnival Pride ship, holding a Filipino flag and signs advocating for the protection of Filipino seafarers. Jom Delor, the deputy secretary general of the Filipino migrant alliance, Migrante USA, expressed concern about the potential rise in deportations. “In this current political climate, who is to say that these rates will not increase? Who is to say that these rates will not disproportionately impact Filipinos?” Delor stated. “We put our foot down and we say that the Filipino people deserve better and that we will fight until we get what we deserve.”

The four seafarers are among a growing number of cruise ship workers reportedly deported in recent months due to unsupported allegations of child pornography. Filipino American advocacy groups and multiple local news reports indicate that these deportations are becoming increasingly common. In July, a Victory Cruise Lines ship in the Port of Detroit faced similar scrutiny from CBP. Reports suggest that over 18 Filipino seafarers were deported from Norfolk, Virginia, in August alone.

Mel Ray, an advocate with the Kabataan Alliance—a national Filipino youth organization—highlighted the devastating impact of the deportations. “They essentially killed the hopes of these seafarers and any livelihood they have in the industry,” Ray said during a press conference at the port. “They are condemning these seafarers to a life of hardship and poverty.”

Call for Action and Due Process

The protestors demanded that Carnival Cruise Line take a stand for their workers by upholding due process. They called on Baltimore politicians, U.S. officials, and the government of the Philippines to intervene and put an end to the arrests and deportations of Filipino workers.

“Stop acting like this is normal,” Ryan Harvey of the Baltimore Rapid Response Network stated. “To condemn people coming here looking for safety and stability is insane.”

The situation has drawn attention to the broader implications for Filipino seafarers working abroad, raising questions about their rights and protections in the maritime industry. As the protests continue, advocates emphasize the need for a fair and just process for all workers, regardless of their nationality.

For further information, contact Matt Hubbard at [email protected], or reach out via X at @mthubb.