The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assured Filipino seafarers affected by the sudden cancellation of their US visas that it is coordinating with concerned agencies to investigate the matter and seek possible remedies.

DFA Assistant Secretary Ezzedin Tago held a dialogue Wednesday with a group representing the affected seafarers. The group reported they were detained by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers without being informed of any specific charges.

The seafarers recounted being questioned, fingerprinted, and photographed before being notified that their visas would be canceled and they would be barred from entering the US for 10 years.

They also claimed CBP did not inform the Philippine Embassy of the actions. One seafarer was allegedly accused by CBP officers of being linked to child pornography.

Tago confirmed that the DFA is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. to verify the incidents.

The Philippine Embassy previously engaged with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security regarding the denial of entry to Filipino seafarers at US ports.

However, the two US departments noted that these actions were carried out “in accordance with existing US laws, regulations and policies.”

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said Wednesday that the visa cancellations were “pursuant to the immigration authority of the US” but stressed that the DMW remains in continuous coordination with the DFA to help the workers.

Cacdac added that the DMW has extended financial and reemployment assistance to the affected individuals, noting that some seafarers have already been hired in local hospitality sector establishments.