Some Ukrainian and Russian seafarers are being denied entry to US, possibly over concerns they'll overstay visas to avoid going home, industry groups say

• Sailors from Russia and Ukraine are being blocked from disembarking ships in the US, industry groups said.
• One group told Insider they suspect officials are concerned the seafarers will overstay their visas.

Ukrainian and Russian seafarers with valid US visas have been denied entry at some US ports since Russia invaded Ukraine over two weeks ago, according to shipping industry groups.

Crew members have been denied entry at ports that include the Port of Morehead City in North Carolina, Port Canaveral in Florida, Port of New Orleans, and multiple ports in Texas, Kathy J. Metcalf, the president and CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America, told Insider.

She said her organization suspects the seafarers are being turned away because Customs and Border Protection officials are concerned that "the seafarers may not actually go to the airport to catch their flight home and could disappear into the US" rather than return home to Russia or Ukraine.

The Chamber of Shipping of America, which represents owners and operators of US-based vessels, was among a number of industry groups that sent a letter to Biden administration officials this week expressing concerns over the Ukrainian and Russian crew members who have been denied entry.

"We understand there are some field offices that are prohibiting disembarkation of Russian and Ukrainian crew members even though they may have valid US visas. This is creating confusion for these individuals and operational challenges for the shipping community," said the letter, which was obtained by Insider.

The Wall Street Journal was first to report on the letter and the seafarers being turned away on Friday.

The letter also asked for CBP to issue guidance to its field offices on how to process seafarers from Russia and Ukraine so that it can be applied universally across US ports. Other signees of the letter include Cruise Lines International Association, the International Chamber of Shipping, and the World Shipping Council.

The letter was sent to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, as it also expressed concerns about the impact of sanctions, especially those on two separatists regions in Ukraine, on ships with crew members from those places.

Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of the Treasury did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Ukrainians and Russians represent a significant number of seafarers, accounting respectively for 4.5% and 10.5% of the global seafaring workforce, according to the International Chamber of Shipping.

Metcalf told Insider the most immediate issue is Ukrainian and Russian sailors being denied entry because it blocks them from disembarking and thus prevents the ships from being able to conduct regular crew changes, which are important to ensure safety and that crews are properly rested.

She said CBP has the authority to block entry to people, even with valid visas, if they have reason to believe they will try to overstay their visa and remain in the US, but that the inconsistency across ports is an issue that needs to be addressed.

"Our frustration is that it's not consistent across the US board. If it's a Russian on a ship in Port Arthur, Texas, vs a Russian on a ship in New York, what's the difference if you're afraid of sabotage or afraid of them disappearing into the interior of the US?" she said.

Metcalf said what they really need is universal guidance to be applied by CBP: "Even if we disagree with the decision, we need to know what it is so we can plan accordingly."

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.