Filipino seafarers detained by US authorities sent back to PH

NEW YORK — Several Filipino seafarers were among the crew members of a cruise ship that docked in San Diego, California last week who were detained by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

A family on board the cruise ship expressed shock after witnessing CBP agents take into custody a Filipino crew member who provided service to them for several days while they were onboard the vessel.

A member of the stunned family requested anonymity but shared with GMA News the video they took of the incident.

In the video clip, handcuffed seafarers are seen guarded by federal agents before being loaded into a white van.

According to the passenger, the Filipino crew member who assisted their family was about to return home for a one-month vacation.

Returned to PH

In a statement, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles confirmed the detention of several Filipino seafarers, adding that they have already returned to the Philippines.

"The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles views with concern that a number of Filipino seafarers working as crew members were among those detained by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities in San Diego and were confirmed to have been returned to the Philippines," the statement said.

The Consulate said it coordinated with the Department of Migrant Workers office in Los Angeles to provide assistance to the affected individuals.

While the latest arrests of Filipino seafarers are concerning, the consulate said it respects the immigration laws being strictly enforced by the US Department of Homeland Security.

"Upon receipt of the consular notifications and confirmation of their status as seafarers, the Consulate General immediately relayed the information to the Department of Migrant Workers in the Philippines, through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Los Angeles, the government agency responsible for providing assistance to seafarers and their families, as provided under existing Philippine laws and regulation," the consulate said.

"The Consulate General recognizes that the CBP has the authority to vet individuals seeking entry into the United States through its air, sea, or land ports of entry. The CBP conducts its own inspection and admissibility review of foreign nationals based on prevailing US laws, which preclude external intervention. While detained at a port of entry, foreign nationals are allowed to contact their embassies or consulates for consular assistance. However, consular access does not alter any decision rendered by US authorities," it said.

"Upon their arrival in the Philippines, these Filipino seafarers are eligible to receive assistance from the DMW and other concerned government agencies," the statement added.

GMA News has requested statements from US Customs and Border Protection in San Diego, but the agency has yet to respond as of posting time.

It remains unclear what prompted the arrest of the Filipino seafarers. — VDV, GMA News