Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will play a crucial part in security operations at this summer’s men’s World Cup, US government officials have revealed.
Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, was speaking to a House of Representatives panel ahead of the soccer showpiece, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Tension around Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has intensified over recent weeks, particularly in the wake of two fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal agents just wo weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was shot in her car by an ICE officer.
Their deaths sparked unrest across the US and fears ahead of major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and the World Cup.
On Tuesday, Lyons was quizzed by Democrat Nellie Pou, who represents the ninth district of New Jersey, which includes MetLife Stadium. Eight games – including the final – will be heled at the home of the New York Jets and Giants.
‘ICE, specifically homeland security investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup,’ Lyons said.
‘We’re dedicated to securing that operation and to ensuring the safety of all participants and visitors.’
It is not uncommon for ICE to help with intelligence and security at major sporting events. Agents are currently in Italy for the Winter Olympics, despite opposition in Milan.
Lyons was warned that ICE agents could damage this summer’s tournament which, according to some estimates, will bring around 10million visitors to the US, where 78 of the 104 games will be held across 11 host cities.
‘You realize that if (fans) feel they are going to be wrongfully incarcerated, wrongfully pulled out, that is going to hurt this entire process?’ Pou asked him. ‘I hope you realize that.’
In response, however, Lyons said: ‘ICE is dedicated to ensuring everyone who visits the facilities will have a safe and secure event.’
His comments came days after Super Bowl LX passed without major incident, despite fears that ICE would continue its crackdown across the Bay Area.
Bad Bunny – an outspoken critic of Trump and ICE – sparked a MAGA meltdown after being chosen to perform the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem vowed ahead of the game: ‘We’ll be all over that place.’
In the end, however, there were no visible ICE operations around the Super Bowl and Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens last week said he hopes federal agents will be ‘unnoticeable… maybe non-existent’ at the World Cup.
Eight games – including a semifinal – will be played at Mercedes-Benz stadium and Dickens said: ‘We will make sure we get as much heads-up as possible.
‘So that small businesses and large businesses — and citizens — will get ample information from us about what to expect (and) how to maintain your own dignity and rights.’
Dickens added that he is determined fans will enjoy the soccer showpiece ‘despite somebody’s presence that I’m not inviting to come.’
