• ICE arrests Disney cruise ship crew members
  • Passengers criticized federal operation
  • Activists demand immediate transparency

The end of a Disney cruise in San Diego turned into a troubling experience for several passengers of the ship after ICE agents carried out arrests against crew members during disembarkation.

  • Why it matters: The arrests reported at the B Street cruise terminal triggered criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations and raised questions about the treatment of foreign workers.

Dharmi Mehta was traveling with her family aboard Disney’s Magic cruise ship during a five-day voyage, according to Telemundo.

The ship made stops at Catalina Island and Ensenada before returning to San Diego.

ICE detains cruise ship crew members in San Diego

However, after leaving the cruise ship, Mehta said she witnessed ICE agents escorting crew members in handcuffs.

The first incident occurred while she was waiting to pass through customs.

Later, while leaving the parking lot near the terminal, she observed several crew members being taken into a white van surrounded by federal agents.

“It was really disturbing,” Mehta said during a press conference held at the pier nearly two weeks later.

According to her account, one of the detainees was the head server who attended her family during the voyage.

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Mehta said she knew part of the worker’s family story.

She stated that the man had two daughters and hoped to see them later this month.

The passenger also noted that the detainees were still wearing their Disney uniforms.

She added that they did not appear to have personal belongings with them at the time of arrest.

“So that was my biggest concern: how is he going to contact his family?” she said.

She also questioned whether the families of those detained knew they would not be returning to the ship.

Activists denounce a growing trend

During the press conference, Mehta was joined by representatives from immigrant rights organizations.

The groups claimed that another similar incident occurred on April 25.

According to the activists, four sailors working aboard the MV Zaandam cruise ship from Holland America Line were also detained by ICE agents.

Benjamín Prado, a member of Unión del Barrio, stated that the detentions are not isolated cases.

“This is not an isolated incident,” Prado declared.

The activist argued that these types of operations are becoming a growing trend across different parts of the country.

Prado described the federal actions as “kidnappings.”

He also claimed that detainees face a lack of due process and difficulties accessing consular services.

“It is our responsibility as a society, as workers, to strongly denounce these actions,” he added.
The groups present demanded greater transparency from federal agencies.

They also called on cruise companies to do more to protect their employees.

Port of San Diego distances itself from the operations

NBC San Diego attempted to obtain comments from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

However, no response was received regarding the allegations raised during the press conference.

There were also no public comments from the cruise companies involved.

For its part, the Port of San Diego issued a statement regarding the reported incidents.

The institution stated that Port Police did not participate in the immigration enforcement actions carried out on April 23 and April 25.

It also indicated that no calls related to those incidents were received.

The statement reminded the public that, under California’s SB 54 law, Port Police do not participate in immigration enforcement activities.

Additionally, officials explained that the B Street cruise terminal operates as a federal port of entry.

As a result, immigration and customs actions fall under the jurisdiction of CBP.

Finally, the Port recommended directing questions about the detentions to federal authorities or the cruise companies involved.