Attorneys Murphy, Rogers & Sloss in New Orleans have advised that, earlier this month, the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has issued reminders to the New Orleans port community that crewmembers may not be sent ashore for medical appointments or repatriation before the arriving vessel is cleared by CBP.
Per 8 C.F.R. ยง 252.1, all persons employed in any capacity on board any vessel arriving in the United States shall be detained on board the vessel by the master or agent of such vessel until admitted or otherwise permitted to land by a CBP Officer.
Failure of the master to detain crewmen onboard a vessel arriving in the United States until inspection may result in a monetary penalty. The amount of such fines have not been specified.
Members should take notice of this requirement and coordinate closely with local agents to ensure that proper procedures and immigration regulations are being followed.