New bill would bar ICE raids near World Cup matches in US host cities

"With fewer than 90 days until kickoff, the World Cup should bring the world together and not leave families wondering if ICE agents will be waiting outside stadiums. When I recently asked the head of ICE directly for a simple assurance that they would stay away from the games, he refused. That is unacceptable. So my legislation draws a firm line on the pitch: no ICE raids."

"There is no successful tournament if fans and players are looking over their shoulders. We want law enforcement to focus on strong security for the World Cup, not meeting civil immigration quotas. We should not allow fear to define this moment and ruin the games."

"Democrats on the homeland security committee began raising alarms in February, when Todd Lyons, the acting ICE director testifying at a hearing, refused to rule out enforcement actions at matches. Congress members sent ICE a letter noting their concerns about the chilling effect the presence of ICE would have and the lack of communication between the Department of Homeland Security and planners at match venue cities."

Congresswoman Nellie Pou introduced the Save the World Cup bill to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting raids near FIFA World Cup matches and fan festivals during the summer tournament. The legislation aims to assure international visitors they will not face detention and to eliminate the deterrent effect of ICE operations on event attendance. With the first US match beginning June 12, Pou emphasized that the tournament should unite the world rather than create fear among families and attendees. When she requested assurance from ICE leadership that they would avoid the games, the request was refused. The bill designates eleven US venues across major cities as protected zones, reflecting concerns raised by Democratic lawmakers about the chilling effect enforcement presence would have on the event.

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