ICE will be at the World Cup, director says
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Observers film ICE agents on Penn Avenue in Minneapolis, Minn., on Feb. 5. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
ICE plans to have a presence at the World Cup this summer, acting director Todd Lyons said Tuesday.
Why it matters: Trump's immigration crackdown and ICE's actions have fueled international backlash that could affect how global fans, teams and governments engage with the World Cup.
- "ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup," Lyons said before a House panel Tuesday.
- "We're dedicated to securing that operation and we're dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as our visitors," he added.
Driving the news: Lyons fielded a question about ICE's involvement from Rep. Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), whose district is scheduled to host World Cup matches this summer.
- When Pou asked Lyons if he would commit to pausing ICE operations at the FIFA tournament, Lyons answered that ICE would have a role.
Reality check: Lyons was specifically talking about ICE HSI, which manages all criminal investigations related to human trafficking and is involved with many large sports events, like the Super Bowl and the Olympics.
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), meanwhile, is largely responsible for enforcing federal immigration law.
- The Department of Homeland Security said in January that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents will work to "deliver a world-class, seamless, and secure experience for all travelers and participants at the FIFA World Cup 2026."
What we're watching: How Trump's immigration crackdown impacts the 2026 World Cup.
- The global soccer tournament — to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — has sparked domestic and international backlash as Trump's immigration policy has escalated in recent months, particularly after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
- There has also been concern about a new Trump policy that would mandate social media checks for tourists.
What they're saying: Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter called for a boycott of the World Cup last month after other global soccer executives and experts suggested the same.
- Vancouver officials recently expressed concern that ICE agents were deployed to the Winter Olympics in Milan and don't want the same to happen for the World Cup.
- The international fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) told BBC Sport that it is "extremely concerned by the ongoing militarization of police forces in the U.S."
The other side: Trump, who received the FIFA Peace Prize in December, has claimed the World Cup will be the "biggest, safest and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history."
- He has also teased moving World Cup games out of cities he deems unsafe.
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