NORFOLK, Va. — Activists gathered at the Port of Norfolk on Sunday, calling on Carnival Cruise Line to respond to what they view as an injustice.
Since April, at least 18 Filipino crew members aboard the Carnival Sunshine have been deported, including a crew member who was deported this past Sunday, according to Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) of Southern California. The nonprofit, who organized the gathering, claims the crew members were removed in handcuffs by Customs and Border Patrol officers at the Port of Norfolk before they were deported.
The group believes the deportations are baseless: Activists claim all the deported crew members held valid 10-year visas.
Aquilina Soriano Versoza, executive director of PWC of Southern California, said the recent deportations follow earlier reports of crew members in possession of child pornography. However, she said the current cases are different.
“Unlike previous cases where there was evidence and prosecution, none of the workers on the Carnival Sunshine have been charged with anything,” Versoza said. “What we think is there is actually no evidence.”
Versoza said the workers’ fear is worsened by their isolation.
“They don’t have ties here; their families are in the Philippines or other home countries. They didn’t have anyone to reach out to when this was happening,” she said.
The Pilipino Workers Center is now calling on Carnival to support the workers who help power the cruise line’s operations.
“We are challenging Carnival; they should be protecting these workers. They benefit from them and should provide legal counsel,” Versoza said.
About 200 crew members remain aboard the Carnival Sunshine in lower-ranking positions. Versoza advised those workers on how to respond if approached by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
“We're telling them not to sign anything. They often don’t know what they are signing, and they should ask for legal counsel. They can call the Filipino Workers Center, which has a hotline,” she said.
As she prepares to return to California, Versoza said local efforts are underway to support the remaining crew.
“We’re building a local coalition to provide ongoing support. We are working to establish legal defenses with organizations like the NAACP and ACLU. Our advocacy will continue as we communicate with local legislators and the Philippine government to protect these workers,” she said.
Carnival provided a statement in response to questions about the deportations:
“This is a law enforcement matter. Carnival always cooperates with law enforcement investigations. We also have active training and education programs to make sure our crew members follow internet safety guidelines.”
While advocates argue the deportations lack due process, federal immigration authorities have not commented on the details. Supporters of stricter immigration enforcement — including some Republican lawmakers — maintain that federal agencies have a duty to investigate visa violations and protect national security, including aboard international vessels.
News 3 reached out to Virginia politicians regarding the situation. Their responses will be added below as we receive them.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) shared the following statement:
“The Trump Administration’s months-long strategy to detain and deport people who are here legally with work visas and do not have criminal histories hurts our economy and is a direct affront to our country’s commitment to due process.”
Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia) shared the following statement:
“My office has been made aware of recent immigration enforcement actions by CBP at the Port of Norfolk and other ports in the United States against cruise ship seafarers from the Philippines and other nations even though they held valid C1/D visas.
“Based on credible press reports, an earlier CBP action last year in Florida aboard a cruise ship was pursuant to a law enforcement investigation. However, that individual was arrested, charged, and convicted of a crime – and will not be deported until after serving his sentence. It is unclear based on press reports why these recently deported seafarers were targeted. Especially, whether for each individual detained, if there was probable cause that they had committed a crime.
“I am making inquiries with the appropriate federal authorities to gather more information. Our nation was founded on the fundamental principles of due process. Under our Constitution, everyone is entitled to due process regardless of citizenship or immigration status.”
