This story was recently posted on one of the yachting crew Whatsapp platforms, warning all freelancers/dayworkers in the US of the potential hazards of being deported.
We’ve all been hearing about the ‘tightening up’ on border controls since Trump got in office and how they’re ‘cracking down’ but got a very scary first hand experience yesterday in West Palm beach immigration office, which I thought might help to share with you guys, so you know it’s not just rumours, its a very worrying truth of things to come.
I just completed a 2 week boss trip going to the Bahamas and went with my crew to immigration near the marina (theres 2 in West Palm, the other near the airport)
A ‘man’ (doesn’t deserve to be labelled as such) named Martin Cardenas (see photo attached) met us and took our passports and 1 by 1 took us into the back office.
I found out later that this guy has been circulating the yacht groups with warnings already- he is on a war path to deport as many yacht crew as he can, an absolute bully who gets off on being intimidating.
He demanded that we unlock our phones and give it to him, where he went through everything and anything he wanted including going into my bank apps, emails, whatapp messages etc. Screaming in my face to shut up (even when I wasn’t talking because he ‘knew I was about to’)! I luckily had a next contract starting in a few days and a flight already booked out of the US, though originally he wanted me to change my flight to leave within 24 hours.
My colleagues were not so lucky.
The engineer had a full-time contract and had been onboard 4 months, but there was proof he did 1 other daywork job before this contract. y 2nd stew had only been in the country 2 months and this was her first break into the industry. Both are South African, and for reference and sad to note this truth; they both have dark skin, I am blonde/white. I was let out, they were both detained and deported that evening.
The Captain and I had 2 hours to pack all their belongings, bring them back to immigration, and book a one-way flight for them out of here. The second stew didn’t get to say goodbye to her boyfriend and didn’t have time to get her luggage to her from the crew house in FLL.
They were led through the airport in handcuffs like criminals, and had their phones taken away until they were sat on the flight so no chance to contact any family or friends.
This is a warning to everyone to know your rights and don’t be like me, thinking ‘ignorance is bliss’ and that it’s a ‘grey area and everyone does it so I’ll be fine’. I’ve been in the industry 5 years and never experienced anything like it.
We are looking into reporting this mans behaviour, but in the meantime, please all be careful. If you have anything incriminating on your phones going into immigration offices, learn your rights and the rules of your visas if you’re not 100% sure, overall please do your own due diligence in understanding the laws in this current political climate. There are new bullies in uniform out there.
Immigration laws, especially those related to visas and entry requirements, are complex and frequently amended.
To find out about changes affecting yacht workers’ visas and transit requirements since that time, we recommend you consult these resources:
- Official Government Websites: Check the websites of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State. Look for press releases, updated regulations, and any changes to specific visa categories relevant to yacht crew.
- Legal Professionals: Consult an immigration lawyer specializing in maritime law or visas. They will have access to the most up-to-date information and can advise you based on your specific circumstances.
- Industry Associations: Organizations representing yacht crew or the yachting industry may provide updates and information on relevant legal changes affecting their members.
Remember that immigration laws are intricate and depend on various factors, such as nationality and the type of work performed. Consulting experts is crucial for accurate and personalized guidance.
Contact the Superyacht Culinary Academy for any information of changes in the yachting career: info@superyachtculinaryacademy.co.za