The Philippines has demanded an explanation from Washington after a rising number of Filipino seafarers were reportedly denied entry to the United States and deported in recent months.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, said it had sought clarification from multiple US government agencies — including the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security — regarding what it described as an increasing trend of Filipino crew being turned away at American ports. Nearly 100 Filipino crew had been deported from the US by mid-year, according to figures from the Philippines government. Splash understands the majority of these deportations came from cruiseships.
“The Embassy has reached out to the relevant US government agencies to seek clarification and assistance regarding reports of Filipino seafarers being denied entry and subsequently deported,” the statement read. It added that Manila was closely coordinating with local unions, shipowners, and port agents to compile verified accounts of the incidents.
Crew denial incidents are rare and often linked to visa irregularities, documentation issues, or background concerns raised during port state checks. However, the embassy’s intervention suggests the pattern may be broader, raising questions over new screening protocols or heightened security procedures.
“The welfare of our seafarers is of paramount importance,” the embassy said, adding that it was “actively engaging counterparts in Washington to ensure fair and transparent treatment of Filipino maritime professionals arriving in the United States.”
Neither the State Department nor the Department of Homeland Security had commented publicly on the matter as of press time.
Splash understands the issue is being closely watched in Manila, where the maritime authority has already requested data from manning agencies to determine if the denials represent a systemic shift or a string of isolated cases.
Splash reported last month on how shipmanagers are struggling with US visa restrictions. Multiple sources at leading shipmanagement companies confirm growing problems with obtaining valid US visas for crewmembers. The issues stem from a raft of executive orders signed by the current US president, which have shifted the long-established practice of multiple-entry seafarer visas toward single-entry permits.
Under the new system, seafarers must be repatriated after their first US port call and replaced until they can obtain another visa.
Visa validity periods are also being shortened under the Donald Trump regime, with caps below the allowable Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) contract lengths. This is preventing the crew from maintaining continuous employment and undermining contractual stability.
