Filipino seafarers detained in US, brought back to PH - consul general

MANILA, May 8 ------ Several Filipino seafarers have been detained by the United States’ Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in San Diego and brought back to the Philippines, the consulate general in Los Angeles said.

“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 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities in San Diego and were confirmed to have been returned to the Philippines,” the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles said in a statement on Wednesday.

It said it recognizes CBP’s authority to vet individuals entering the US including foreign nationals. It added that while detained foreign nationals are allowed to seek assistance from their embassies or consulates, consular access cannot affect US authorities’ decision.

Consular assistance has been provided to those detained, including welfare checks, notifying family members and employers through the Migrant Workers Office and DMW, and assisting in conveying to CBP any urgent medical concerns. “Those determined by CBP to be inadmissible are processed for immediate return,” it said.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, they are also eligible to receive assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers and other government agencies, the consulate general said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com