Filipino seafarer groups and migrant advocates are pushing the Philippine government to file a formal diplomatic protest against the United States over the treatment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). At the centre of the campaign are more than 150 Filipino cruise-ship workers who, according to the groups, were detained and deported from US ports during 2025 under circumstances they describe as unjust and lacking due process.

The Issue

The International Seafarers Action Center (ISAC), working with Migrante International, says the workers lost far more than their positions. In accounts collected from deported crew members, the groups cite:

  • Visa revocations — US work visas cancelled, in many cases at the port of entry.
  • Employment terminated — workers removed from their vessels and contracts ended.
  • Blacklisting by agencies — many facing difficulty being rehired through recruitment agencies.
  • Re-entry bans of up to 10 years — a serious blow for seafarers whose livelihoods depend on travelling to US ports.

The groups allege that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents acted without adequate due process, and they have accused the US government of "acts of discrimination" against OFWs. The framing — including talk of the "criminalization of migrants" — is the campaign's own language, and reflects a broader pushback against stricter US immigration enforcement.

The Campaign Timeline

  1. 20 October 2025 — ISAC launched a campaign in the Philippines together with deported cruise workers to demand justice and accountability from the Philippine government.
  2. 6 November 2025 — Filipino community members and allies rallied at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. to pressure Manila, delivering a letter via the Tanggol Migrante Movement (TMM).
  3. 8 November 2025 — A community town hall was held in Baltimore, Maryland, sharing testimonials from affected cruise workers as part of a wider "week of action."

What the Groups Are Asking For

The letter delivered in Washington outlined four main demands:

  • Hold US CBP accountable for alleged violations of the cruise workers' due process.
  • Hold cruise companies responsible for protecting their workers' rights.
  • Demand that the US government end what they call the criminalization of migrants.
  • Call on the Philippine government to mount a stronger defence of its nationals.

What This Means for OFWs

For seafarers and land-based workers heading to or transiting through US ports, the campaign is a reminder to know your rights and document everything at the port of entry. If you are detained or your visa is revoked while working in or transiting the US, contact the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate and the DMW's assistance channels as early as possible. Official legal guidance should always come from qualified sources rather than social media.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has broadened its mission from deployment to worker protection in recent years. Whether Manila formally files a diplomatic protest over this issue remains to be seen, but the campaign keeps the treatment of Filipino seafarers under public scrutiny.

🔍 Our Sources

Philippine News Today (philippinenews.com), Manila/Inquirer reporting via JIJI, and statements from the International Seafarers Action Center (ISAC) and Migrante International. All information current as of August 2026.