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Protest Erupts At Baltimore Cruise Terminal Over Deportation Of Filipino Seafarers
Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Baltimore cruise terminal on September 14 to denounce the detention and deportation of four seafarers from a cruise ship.
The workers, three Filipinos and one Indonesian, were accused of possessing child pornography during the ship’s previous call in Baltimore on September 7, but advocacy groups said they were deported without a chance to defend themselves.
The protest, organised by Filipino community group and their allies, took place as passengers lined up for the ship’s next departure. Demonstrators held Filipino flags and signs reading “Defend Filipino Seafarers,” “Money for migrant workers, not flood control fraud,” and “Marcos: Don’t trade our livelihoods for U.S. military deals.”
According to Marino PH, the largest maritime community in the Philippines, said the four crew members were also questioned about possible drug possession, which they denied.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have not publicly commented on the case, while the cruise line said arrests are handled by authorities and that it will continue to cooperate.
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Groups like Migrante USA and the Tanggol Migrante USA and the Tanggol Migrante Movement reported that over 100 Filipino seafarers have been deported from U.S. ports in recent months over similar child pornography-related accusations, often without any evidence.
In July, a Victory Cruise Lines ship in Detroit was targeted, and in August, more than 18 Filipino workers from the Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia, were also deported under similar circumstances.
Leaders from Migrante USA argued that the rising number of cases could unfairly target Filipino workers in the maritime industry. Members of the Kabataan Alliance, a Filipino youth network, said the deportations violate seafarers’ rights and leave them vulnerable to poverty when they return home.
The Malaya Movement Baltimore called the deportations “heinous” and urged the Philippine government to act. Protesters said Manila should use diplomatic channels to protect its citizens, instead of allowing workers to be replaced quickly without investigation. Some seafarers at the protest said they fear being dismissed and deported without a chance to defend themselves.
Baltimore activists, including the Rapid Response Network, criticised the deportations as unfair, saying migrant workers seeking stability should not be treated as criminals without proof. Protest organisers warned they will continue to mobilise if the Philippine embassy does not respond strongly.
Reference: CruiseHive
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