On September 14, a notable protest unfolded outside the Baltimore cruise terminal, where dozens gathered to oppose the recent detention and deportation of four seafarers from a cruise ship. The workers, three from the Philippines and one from Indonesia, were accused of possessing child pornography during a prior stop in Baltimore on September 7. Advocacy groups expressed concern that these individuals were expelled without a chance to defend themselves.
Organized by a Filipino community group and various allies, the demonstration coincided with passengers preparing for the ship’s next voyage. Protestors waved Filipino flags and displayed signs advocating for the rights of Filipino seafarers and demanding accountability. According to Marino PH, which represents the largest maritime community in the Philippines, the affected crew members were also interrogated about potential drug possession, which they denied.
Despite the gravity of the situation, neither Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) nor Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has made any public statements regarding these incidents. The involved cruise line emphasized that law enforcement manages arrests independently while pledging to cooperate fully. Alarmingly, reports from Migrante USA indicated that over 100 Filipino seafarers have faced similar deportations recently, often without solid evidence.
Activists and organizations voiced their concern that such deportations violate seafarers’ rights and worsen poverty for those sent home without recourse. The Malaya Movement Baltimore condemned these actions, urging the Philippine government to take decisive measures to protect its citizens. Local activists criticized the treatment of migrant workers and warned of persistent mobilization if the Philippine embassy does not respond adequately to these troubling occurrences.
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