Chelsea bets big on World Cup games despite ICE fears
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Chelsea Square. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios
Chelsea officials say they won't let fears of immigration enforcement stop them from celebrating the World Cup.
Why it matters: City manager Fidel Maltez is betting on the FIFA tournament to raise Chelsea's spirits and economy after the majority-Latino city became a target for federal immigration agents.
Driving the news: Chelsea plans to host more than 60 events this summer, including Spanish-language broadcasts of most World Cup games in Chelsea Square with live entertainment, food and activities for children.
- The summer programming, named Fiesta Fútbol '26, will also include community soccer tournaments and a field day.
By the numbers: The city received a $175,000 grant from the state and is pulling $125,000 from local reserves to cover the cost of increased patrols and other preparations.
- Eastern Salt Company is lending an LED screen, saving the city nearly $90,000, said Omar Miranda, a city official and Fiesta Fútbol organizer.
Between the lines: The tournament is a chance to celebrate the city's cultural diversity and, ideally, drum up more activity and business downtown, Maltez said.
- That's been a challenge between last year's construction work and several administrative arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
What they're saying: "We want people to not be afraid to be Latino here in our streets," said Maltez, who was born in Nicaragua.
Zoom out: The specter of federal immigration agents detaining fans looms over the World Cup.
- Senior FIFA management asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to directly request from Trump a moratorium on immigration enforcement during the tournament, the Athletic reported in April.
Threat level: If immigration agents showed up to Chelsea's public events, city officials wouldn't prevent them from detaining residents, Maltez said.
- "We cannot prevent an immigration enforcement agent to enter a public space," he said. "What we can do is be present."
Yes, but: Both Maltez and Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton said they don't foresee immigration officers showing up to the summer events.
- Houghton said he's spoken with immigration agents in the past over concerns that they would disrupt a community event, like last year's Chelsea Day. ICE agents stayed away that time.
- "No one wants two law enforcement agencies in conflict," Houghton said of federal immigration agents and local police forces.
Friction point: The federal supremacy clause bars local police from interfering with federal officers unless they exceed the scope of their duties and break the law, and such arrests are rare, ProPublica reported.
What's next: Fiesta Fútbol kicks off on May 23 with an adult soccer tournament in Highland Park.
- Next will be a community field day on June 6 at Highland Park, followed by the first World Cup game on June 11 — Mexico vs. South Africa.