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18 Visa Carnival Sunshine Crews Deported

18 Visa Carnival Sunshine Crews Deported

Key aspects:

  • At least 18 people from Carnival sunshine Detained and deported by Customs and Border Patrol personnel in Norfolk, Virginia.
  • The crew members all have valid visas and advocacy groups say they were wrongly deported without due process.
  • Unexpected removal of crew members is not only a loss of nerves, but also may hinder the movement of the cruise ship.

In addition to the common attractions and sounds in the hustle and bustle of Norfolk Harbour, this sentence “Due to process is law” It can be heard from protesters shouting outside the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center on July 20, 2025.

Protesters are seeking justice for at least 18 Filipino crew members who work and live on board Carnival sunshine Before allegedly being wrongly detained and deported.

All crew members have a valid 10-year C-1/D visa, are handcuffed and removed From the Carnival Boat By Customs and Border Patrol personnel. Their exact date is not yet known.

As part of their deportation, their visas were revoked and the United States was banned from reentering the United States for 10 years.

Cruise workers were accused of possessing child pornography, but advocacy groups were firm because there was not enough evidence to prove it and that workers or trials were not allowed until they were sent back to the Philippines.

“These crews are hard-working parents and spouses and have a visa through rigorous background checks and have clear records.” Joint Statement From the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and the National Federation of Philippine American Associations (NAFFAA).

“Their sudden removal, coupled with the withdrawal of visa revocation and the withdrawal of a decade-long reentry ban, was not only humiliating, but also financially damaged the family. The statement continues.

In a statement The local Norfolk exit is wavy, Carnival said the cruise companies are working with law enforcement.

“This is a law enforcement issue. Carnival always works with law enforcement investigations. We also conduct active training and education programs to ensure our crews follow Internet safety guidelines,” A Carnival spokesperson said.

The former employee shared that their contract with the cruise line was terminated before placing its home as family.

Impact on cruise

Carnival sunshine Currently heading towards Bermuda and 8 nights with 6 nights Sailing to the eastern Caribbean Outside Norfolk, Virginia, it is the year-round home of the 3,002-Guest ship.

Reports show that since February 2025, CBP agents have been transiting for a few days and eight more Filipino crew members have been detained but not deported.

This means that each return to Norfolk could be filled with fear and anxiety about the fear and anxiety of about 1,040 crew members, and more deportations may occur in the future.

Currently, the only other cruise routes that are actively sailing to the port are cruise routes in the United States, although they are not using Norfolk as Homeport.

Carnival crew in NorfolkCarnival crew in Norfolk
Norfolk’s Carnival Crew (photo provided by: Carnival Cruise Route)

It is unclear whether the crew on the ACL boat may also be under scrutiny.

Please read also: Is cruise safe? What you really need to know

It is worth noting that from July 9 to 11, 2025, under the Victory Cruise Fleet of Victory Cruise Fleet, several international crew members were also expelled from the two ships.

13 Crew members were detained (later deported) Calling other destinations in the United States while working on a boat Victory I and Victory IIBoth are small boats that can accommodate 180 guests.

At least one of the crew members was allegedly charged with possessing child pornography.

Regardless of the reason, the crew’s accidental evacuation can bring the wrench into cruise operations.

Not only does it create a fear environment among employees and an anxious focus on similar events that will occur in the future, it can also lead to staffing issues.

Other employees may have to take on additional work before it takes time to replace crew members and there may be a gap in service available or a degradation in the quality of certain services on board.