At least 18 Filipino crew members from the Carnival Sunshine were detained and deported by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents in Norfolk, Virginia. Despite holding valid 10-year C-1/D visas, these individuals were allegedly removed without due process, leading advocacy groups to claim their deportation was wrongful. Protestors gathered outside the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center on July 20, 2025, demanding justice and chanting, “due process is the law.”
The crew members were accused of possessing child pornography, but advocates argue there was insufficient evidence and that the workers were denied legal representation. A joint statement from the Pilipino Workers Center and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations highlighted the crew’s clean records and the financial devastation their sudden removal caused to their families. Carnival Cruise Line stated they were cooperating with law enforcement, emphasizing their commitment to crew safety and internet guidelines.
The deportations have raised concerns about the impact on cruise operations, as the Carnival Sunshine continues its sailings from Norfolk. Reports indicate that CBP has been boarding the ship regularly since February 2025, creating an atmosphere of anxiety among the remaining crew members and potentially affecting staffing levels and service quality onboard.
