10 Cruise Workers Removed From Boston Ship As Part Of Federal Operation

BOSTON, MA — Ten cruise ship crewmembers were removed from a vessel in Boston after admitting to previously consuming child sexual abuse and exploitation material, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced this week.

According to CBP, officers encountered nine citizens of the Philippines and one citizen of Nepal aboard the Norwegian Escape on Monday, Aug. 31. During secondary interviews, all 10 admitted to previously consuming child sexual abuse material or child sexual exploitation material. The crewmembers were processed for removal of their conditional landing status under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act involving crimes of moral turpitude.

The removals were conducted as part of Operation Tidal Wave, a multi-agency initiative targeting cruise ship crewmembers associated with the possession, use, procurement, production, or distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The operation is led by CBP's Office of Field Operations Enforcement Operations Division in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The Aug. 31 operation was the second such enforcement effort conducted in Boston during August. CBP previously removed 14 crewmembers from the Norwegian Breakaway, Holland Volendam and Vision of the Seas throughout the month. In total, 24 cruise ship workers were removed in Boston over a period of just more than two weeks, according to the agency.

“In just over two weeks, CBP has removed 24 cruise workers for possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and we will not stop,” Acting Director of Field Operations for CBP's Boston Field Office Julio Caravia said. “I want this message to be loud and clear: CBP will not tolerate anyone possessing this material entering the United States.”

Operation Tidal Wave has also been conducted at ports elsewhere in the country. The first phase took place in San Diego in April and resulted in administrative enforcement actions against 27 crewmembers from six vessels. A second phase in San Juan in June and July resulted in the removal of 14 crewmembers and federal prosecution being accepted for one person.

CBP said the Area Port of Boston plans to continue the operation. Under federal immigration law, involvement with child sexual abuse and exploitation material can result in criminal prosecution, removal, and 10 years of inadmissibility to the United States.

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