Between April - September 2025, several outlets reported on the deportation of Filipino workers from Carnival Cruise Line ships, allegedly without due process.

In July 2025, eighteen Filipino crew members employed on The Carnival Sunshine, a cruise ship operated by the company Carnival Cruise Line (part of Carnival), were detained in Virginia and deported to the Philippines, despite having visas.

Migrant rights advocates allege the workers were arrested by US Customs and Border Protection agents without evidence and deported without legal representation or due process; the company allegedly terminated their employment “by the time” they were home.

CBP officers allegedly told the workers they possessed child sexual abuse material; the workers and their advocates say CBP had no evidence of this and deny the allegations. Reporting says the workers were not charged with any crimes prior to deportation.

After being detained, the workers say they were not given any food or water. They are calling for justice. The workers also say they felt abandoned by the company.

Journalists reached out to Carnival Cruise Line, who said the case is a “law enforcement matter”.

Later reporting says advocates have condemned the deportation as "unjust" and "inhumane". The Pilipino Workers Center also alleges at least 80 more Filipino workers from two other Carnival-operated ships (Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Vista) had also been detained and deported between April and May without due process.

In September, it was reported that four Filipino migrant cruise ship workers employed on Carnival Pride cruise ship were detained and deported while the vessel was docked in Baltimore, sparking protests by migrant worker groups who claimed workers were denied due process.

Organizers said the four Filipino workers were not afforded legal representation or proper hearings before removal. The protestors "demanded accountability" from the company owner, Carnival Cruise, and the Philippines government. Carnival Cruise Line issued a statement, saying it will “always cooperate” with authorities.