Human rights and labor advocacy groups are concerned about how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may operate during upcoming FIFA World Cup events in the United States, including matches at MetLife Stadium. Human Rights Watch and others have urged an immigration enforcement truce during the tournament. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said ICE, including Homeland Security Investigations, would play a key part in the overall security apparatus and would focus on safety for participants and visitors. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said ICE would work with local and federal law enforcement to secure events as it does at major sporting events. The spokesperson said international visitors who enter legally should have no concerns, while those who enter illegally may face immigration enforcement, without providing further specifics.
"Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has said the agency would play a "key part" of security at the World Cup matches in the United States, although the agency has been silent on specifics. ICE officers have long played a role at major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and Olympics, particularly in helping with security and anti-counterfeiting efforts. But immigration and labor advocacy groups are sounding the alarm with the matches coming amid the Trump administration's mass deportation effort."
"Lyons told a U.S. House panel in February, "ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup. We're dedicated to securing that operation and to ensuring the safety of all participants and visitors.""
"And more recently a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, told Gothamist the agency will work with local and federal law enforcement agencies to "secure" the World Cup events, as it usually does at major sporting events. The spokesperson said international visitors who come to the United States "legally" should have no concerns, but warned that those who enter the country "illegally" may become targets for immigration enforcement."
Read at Gothamist
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