CBP Deports 27 Cruise Ship Workers Over Child Pornography Allegations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection deported 27 cruise ship crew members after finding they were involved with child pornography during boardings of eight cruise liners in San Diego from April 23-27, 2026.[1]
CBP detained 28 crew members during the operation and said 27 were involved in receiving, possessing, transporting, distributing or viewing child sexual exploitation material.[1] The agency revoked visas for the 27 workers—26 of whom were from the Philippines—and deported them without filing federal criminal charges in the Southern District of California.[1]
From April 23-27, CBP agents boarded eight cruise liners docked in San Diego as part of a child sexual exploitation material investigation. At least 10 of the deported workers were employed by Disney Cruise Line and others worked for Holland America; both companies said the implicated employees have been terminated.[1]
CBP has not announced any criminal prosecutions tied to the seizures and deportations, and federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California had not filed charges in the matter.
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📌 Key Facts
- From April 23-27, 2026, CBP boarded eight cruise liners docked in San Diego as part of a child sexual exploitation material investigation.
- CBP detained 28 crew members and found 27 were involved in receiving, possessing, transporting, distributing or viewing child pornography.
- CBP revoked visas for 27 workers, 26 of whom were from the Philippines, and deported them without filing federal criminal charges in the Southern District of California.
- At least 10 of the deported workers were employed by Disney Cruise Line, and additional implicated employees worked for Holland America; both cruise lines say those workers have been terminated.
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