MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, met with United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson to discuss the recent deportation of several Filipino seafarers from US territory.
According to the senator, the issue has drawn concern from lawmakers and migrant worker advocates.
He said that the meeting took place over dinner at the US ambassador’s official residence, where Ambassador Carlson had extended a personal invitation to the senator.
During the discussion, Senator Tulfo relayed the complaints of several Filipino seafarers who had testified during a Senate hearing on Aug. 13.
Employed as crew members aboard a cruise ship, the seafarers testified that upon docking at a US territory, officers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) boarded their vessel and inspected their mobile phones.
Senator raises concern over deported Filipino seafarers
They claimed that ICE agents searched for child pornographic contents in their phones, but found none.
Despite the absence of incriminating material, the Filipino seafarers claimed that they were still denied entry into the United States, with some even being detained before ultimately being deported.
Senator Tulfo expressed grave concern over the incident and emphasized to Ambassador Carlson the importance of due process and evidence-based enforcement., This news data comes from:http://www.erlvyiwan.com
- Aftershocks rumble quake-hit Afghanistan as death toll tops 1,400
- Putin meets Kim, praises North Korean troops in Russia
- Globe partners with unconnected.org to provide remote schools with sustainable internet connectivity
- Meeting South Korea, Trump could eye new chance with North
- Marcos lauds Filipinos for role in nation building on National Heroes Day
- PH Army showcases disaster response capabilities before Thai defense officials
- BuCor chief calls for major reforms
- Hontiveros wants Senate to probe Chinese who pretended to be Filipino
- Gasoline, diesel prices to increase by P1 next week
- Supreme Court censures Marikina judge over parking dispute with PAO lawyer
