The Port of Baltimore became the site of a protest on September 14, 2025, as dozens of people gathered to speak out against the deportation of the Filipino seafarers. The crew members, who had been working aboard a Carnival Cruise Line were abruptly removed from the vessel a week earlier, sparking outrage within the Filipino community and among labor rights advocates.
The demonstration was organized by Tanggol Migrante, a national alliance in the Philippines established to defend Filipino migrant workers, and coordinated by Malaya Movement Baltimore, a local affiliate of Tanggol Migrante. They were joined by the Kabataan Alliance, a Filipino youth organization, and Migrante USA, an advocacy network for overseas Filipinos.
On September 7, the four seafarers were escorted off the cruise ship Carnival Pride under allegations that they were linked to child pornography and possibly questioned about drugs. Reports describe how they were handcuffed, searched, and held in custody for hours before being taken to the airport. From there, they were processed—fingerprinted, photographed, and placed on a flight back to Manila.
Protesters believe the deportations were carried out without due process. Many expressed fears about the long-term consequences for the workers, including emotional trauma, financial hardship, and the stigma of being accused without clear evidence. The demonstration was also a call for accountability from the cruise line, U.S. immigration authorities, and Philippine officials, who have been criticized for their silence and lack of support.
The Bigger Picture
This incident is not viewed as an isolated case. In recent months, many Filipino seafarers have been removed from cruise ships across the US ports under similar circumstances. Advocates worry this represents a troubling pattern where workers are being criminalized and deported without the opportunity to defend themselves. Cases have already been reported in other port cities, raising alarm about the consistency and fairness of how these situations are handled.
Carnival Cruise Line has maintained that these removals fall strictly under law enforcement matters, stating that the company is obliged to cooperate fully with authorities. Immigration agencies involved in the Baltimore incident, however, have not clarified which department carried out the deportation or under what legal authority.
A number of issues remain unclear. Was there concrete evidence to support the allegations? Which agency carried out the removal? Were the seafarers given access to legal representation or a fair hearing? And just how many Filipino crew members across the country have already been affected?
Photo Credit: Bill Bleich
