The countdown to the opening whistle has begun. Next June 11, 2026 will mark the start of the World Cup in the United States. However, beyond sporting enthusiasm, a shadow of uncertainty looms over migrant communities in California and Florida. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will participate in security operations. This news has raised alarms due to the massive foreign population in host cities.
The Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami venues are preparing to welcome millions of fans from around the world. Federal authorities have indicated that ICE deployment is a standard measure for large-scale events. Cities like Los Angeles and Miami are vital hubs for Latin culture and international commerce. Therefore, the presence of immigration agents near stadiums generates fear about possible mass raids. Although the stated objective is security, distrust is growing among local residents and tourists.
The ICE’s role has been detailed by high-ranking U.S. government officials. Markwayne Mullin, secretary of security, explained that the priority is enforcement of customs and commerce laws. Personnel have extensive experience in detecting counterfeit products and illegal ticket sales on the black market. These functions are common at events like the Super Bowl or the Kentucky Derby. However, the political nature of the immigration agency complicates public perception of the security operation.
What will be the real role of federal agencies during the World Cup?
Secretary Mullin clarified in an interview with CBS News that agents will search for specific national security threats. This includes tracking individuals on watchlists for terrorism or with outstanding arrest warrants. They will actively pursue suspects of serious crimes such as homicide or trafficking illicit substances into the country. “We will not be there to conduct mass arrests,” the official assured to try to calm the civilian population.
Mullin emphasized that the goal is to capture “the worst of the worst” and prevent tragedies during matches. However, the secretary did not rule out that individual detentions could occur during the course of the world sporting event. This ambiguity has generated concerns about whether a customs check could lead to immigration status verification. Civil rights organizations have demanded full transparency about the agents’ authority.
In Florida and California, security logistics are a complex puzzle due to state sovereignty. While the federal government coordinates the border and customs, states manage their local police. This interaction between different levels of government will be tested under World Cup pressure. Stadiums will become high-security perimeters where technology and human surveillance will work hand in hand.
What specific measures will be applied at the stadiums in Los Angeles and San Francisco?
In the state of California, the focus is on the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles metropolitan zone. The San Francisco schedule kicks off on June 13 with the match between Qatar and Switzerland at Levi’s Stadium. For its part, Los Angeles will debut on June 12 in a historic date for the U.S. national team. The City of Angels will host eight matches, culminating with a crucial quarterfinal match on July 10.
Initially, there was confusion about immigration agents entering California’s sports facilities. Kathryn Schloessman, an executive with the Los Angeles Sports Commission, initially mentioned that ICE would be present normally. However, days later she retracted and clarified that they are not part of the internal security plan for SoFi Stadium. This correction was confirmed by ABC7 sources, partially relieving fans who feared encounters inside the stadium.
Despite this restriction, agents could still have interactions with the public upon leaving sports facilities. The surroundings of stadiums are considered federal jurisdiction for certain public security operations. Therefore, attendees are advised to learn about their basic rights before immigration authorities. The state of California maintains “sanctuary state” policies, but these have limits when facing federal national security operations.
