More than 120 civil society groups have issued a travel warning to 10 million potential visitors regarding serious rights violations in the United States, just two weeks before the FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026.
Advocates across 11 US host cities are preparing rapid response networks and legal aid resources to shield fans and local residents from aggressive immigration enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the tournament.
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At least 18 people have died in ICE custody this year amid a large-scale immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, prompting concerns about arbitrary denials of entry, arrests, and deportations near sporting venues.
Federal officials stated that local security operations are being coordinated across multiple levels of government to maintain safety for the international event.
"The Department of Homeland Security is working around the clock with federal, state, local and international partners to ensure a safe and secure environment for players, fans and communities hosting these events," said Lauren Bis, the Department of Homeland Security acting assistant secretary.
Bis emphasized that the administration prioritizes security during the tournament.
"The safety and security of the American people and the millions of visitors attending these events remain our highest priority," she said.
Activists stated that Latino immigrant communities face heightened risks because of their deep connection to soccer and the heavy security presence around the games.
"We know that soccer is something many in the Latino immigrant community grew up playing or watching," said Christine Bolaños, communications director at Workers Defense Action Fund.
Bolaños explained that advocacy groups want to ensure spectators are aware of potential encounters with immigration authorities.
"These games are meant to bring people together, and we want fans to know the risks and be prepared for encounters," she said.
Legal advocates are also re-establishing digital support infrastructure to connect foreign nationals with volunteer attorneys in real time.
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"When there's a tenfold increase in the security apparatus, there's a real risk that local residents – immigrants and non-immigrants – will be caught in the law enforcement dragnet," said Jennifer Li, a leader of the national coalition Dignity 26.
In Miami, local organizers are leveraging a regional hotline network and training legal observers to document federal enforcement operations.
"For us, those are two lifelines," said Yareliz Mendez-Zamora, an organizer with the American Friends Service.
Mendez-Zamora noted that community collaboration remains essential during periods of increased scrutiny.
"These scary times, but also beautiful times when we're able to work and protect each other," she said.
In Seattle, where 750,000 visitors are expected, labor groups have provided Fourth Amendment training to restaurant workers regarding public and private property rights.
Business coalitions in Philadelphia have also launched canvassing drives to establish safe spaces within nightlife establishments, viewing ICE intervention as an economic threat to local tourism revenues.
"If you don't see, at bare minimum, tax revenues that match the investments, you've created a deficit that taxpayers are on the hook for," said Jabari Jones, president of the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative.
Jones warned that aggressive detentions could permanently damage the reputation of host cities.
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"All it takes is a few high-profile incidents of people getting detained to send a message to tourists that your area doesn't support tourism," he said.
