Minorities at World Cup fear threat of ICE and how immigration is enforced

Haiti’s return to the World Cup since 1974 brings pride, including for Haitians living in the United States. Massachusetts hosts about 87,000 Haitians, and Haiti’s group-stage matches are scheduled in the US, including games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Emile, a Haitian living in Ohio, is hesitant to attend because of concerns about US immigration crackdowns and possible arrest by ICE at airports or during travel. He says his lawyer advised him not to fly. Many in immigrant communities report fear after observing heavily armed ICE operations in multiple cities, including a case where ICE officers shot and killed two American demonstrators in Minneapolis. They also report aggressive tactics affecting people beyond undocumented residents.

"Haiti open their account at the 2026 edition of football's showpiece international event against Scotland on June 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. list of 4 itemsend of list The state is home to 87,000 Haitians, according to government figures, making it one of the largest populations for the diaspora in the US. All three of Haiti's group-stage matches are in the US, with games against Brazil in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Morocco in Atlanta, Georgia, completing their first-phase fixtures."

"Singing my country's national anthem in a stadium in front of the whole world is a historic moment that no one would want to miss, Emile, a truck driver in his 40s who did not wish to give his last name, told the AFP news agency. But at the same time, I think twice. I don't want to be arrested by ICE, he said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers tasked with arresting and deporting undocumented foreign nationals. My lawyer advised me not to fly so I don't get caught at the airport, he said."

"Emile's concerns are shared by many in the immigrant community, who have watched heavily armed, masked ICE officers carry out their often brutal operations in multiple US cities. Outrage peaked when ICE officers shot dead two American demonstrators in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Now, people are making sure that they are aware to what they are doing and they don't feel safe, Monica Sarmiento of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights told AFP."

"They are afraid. We have seen very aggressive tactics [from ICE] that have gone after not only undocumented communities but also people with protective status. Sarmie"

Read at www.aljazeera.com