A brand new “Save the World Cup” bill just hit the floor in Congress, aiming to put a firm stop to any potential immigration enforcement raids near FIFA World Cup matches and fan festivals in the United States this summer. New Jersey Congresswoman Nellie Pou, a Democrat, introduced this legislation on Thursday, looking to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations within a mile of any US host city venue.
Congresswoman Pou isn’t messing around; she wants to make sure visitors feel safe and that ICE operations don’t cast a scary shadow over the events, according to The Guardian. The World Cup’s first US match kicks off on June 12, and she’s clearly concerned about the vibe leading up to it.
“With fewer than 90 days until kickoff, the World Cup should bring the world together and not leave families wondering if ICE agents will be waiting outside stadiums,” Pou said in a release. She recently asked acting ICE Director Todd Lyons for a simple assurance that agents would steer clear of the games, but he flat-out refused. “That is unacceptable,” Pou stated. “So my legislation draws a firm line on the pitch: no ICE raids.”
There’s no way this tournament can be a success if fans and players are constantly looking over their shoulders
Pou wants law enforcement to focus on providing strong security for the World Cup, not trying to meet civil immigration quotas. Democrats on the homeland security committee have been raising alarms about this since February. That’s when Todd Lyons, the acting ICE director, was testifying at a hearing and just wouldn’t rule out enforcement actions during the matches.
With the tragic killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti still fresh in their minds, Congress members sent a letter to ICE, expressing their deep concerns about the chilling effect such a presence would have. They also pointed out a concerning lack of communication between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the planners in the host cities.
The United States has eleven cities ready to host World Cup games this year: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. Los Angeles actually saw some pretty intense conflict over ICE enforcement last year, with big street protests and even the deployment of active-duty military units, though courts eventually blocked that move as illegal.
This new legislation introduced by Congresswoman Pou isn’t a solo effort. California’s Eric Swalwell and New Jersey’s LaMonica McIver, both Democratic Congress members and part of the House homeland security taskforce overseeing World Cup security, are on board. Mississippi’s Bennie Thompson, the ranking Democrat on the homeland security committee, is also supporting the bill.
“How can our country host the World Cup while deporting visiting fans from around the world?” Swalwell asked. As a former Division I soccer player himself, he knows what an honor it is to host such a huge event. He believes our priority should be showcasing the best of our country, not having police taking over buses, trains, and public spaces. “This bill ensures ICE cannot turn everyday public transportation into a place of terror,” he added.
Additionally, the DHS announced on Wednesday that it awarded $625 million in security grants to those eleven US host cities. This move addresses some really deep local concerns about preparation that Pou had written about in an editorial earlier this month, which had threatened events in places like Miami. However, it’s still unclear if those funds have actually been distributed yet.
The DHS itself remains shut down right now because of an impasse between Trump’s administration and Senate Democrats. They’re locked in a debate over measures meant to ensure ICE enforcement operates within legal and constitutional limits, along with long-standing norms for policing.
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