- ICE officers have swooped on parks and football fields during matches
- The controversial crackdown followed Donald Trump’s return to office
- Optics are questionable with the US among World Cup hosts next year
Immigration officers in the US are targeting amateur soccer matches – as the country hosts FIFA’s Club World Cup.
Mail Sport understands that a series of raids have taken place at games, with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officials swooping on parks and football fields.
Those with knowledge of the situation believe the sport is being targeted thanks to the large number of people from immigrant communities who play.
It comes as part of a controversial crackdown, after President Donald Trump returned to office, that has triggered protests across the country which have, in some instances, turned violent.
The optics, at a time when clubs from around the world are taking part in FIFA’s expanded tournament, are questionable at best. The swoops also come a year before the US hosts the World Cup, along with Canada and Mexico.
Both US Customs and Border Protection and FIFA declined to comment, despite a number of requests. However, one witness described the situation at a match in Orlando in recent weeks.
‘We were playing in a Sunday league game,’ they explained. ‘The pitch was in a cage with one door. During the game, a van came and blocked the entrance and lots of officers jumped out and came onto the field.
‘The match was stopped for about an hour while they checked everyone’s papers.
‘They were clearly looking for people who didn’t have the right documentation. In my opinion they are targeting football, which isn’t a great look when you’re meant to be opening your doors to soccer fans from across the world.’
As has been previously reported, concerns were raised that those heading to Club World Cup matches would be targeted by ICE officials after both they and CBP officers confirmed they would be present at games.
An ill-advised post on X, which was later removed, stated that CBP would be ‘suited and booted’ at venues around the US.
Officials later insisted that the presence of CBP and ICE officers was part of standard security protocol. They did not, however, respond the direct question of whether they would be checking the documentation of those attending.
On June 11, Coast Guard and CBP agents raided a catamaran off the coast of Miami, with those onboard asked to provide identification proving their legal status.
The boat was part of a year-to-go to the World Cup event, being staged by broadcast giants Telemundo. Among the invitees were the mayor of Miami and a group of FIFA VIPs.
