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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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House Democrats have introduced a package of bills that aims to limit the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States.
The legislation aims to limit civil immigration enforcement in and around World Cup venues, fan zones, and public transport amid growing concern among lawmakers and advocates that ICE and Customs and Border Protection operations could create fear for international visitors and immigrant communities as the United States prepares to co‑host the tournament with Canada and Mexico.
Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, told lawmakers that the agency would be a "key part of the overall security apparatus" for the tournament and declined to rule out enforcement operations around matches during a Congressional hearing in February.
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New Jersey Democratic Representative Nellie Pou, whose district includes MetLife Stadium, where the World Cup final will be held, asked Lyons whether the agency would pause operations around matches, saying visitors’ confidence was "plummeting and jeopardising the World Cup," to which Lyons replied that ICE is "dedicated to securing that operation, and we are dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as visitors."
The Save the World Cup Act, introduced by Pou, would ban civil immigration enforcement near World Cup matches and related fan festivals. The legislation specifies that areas surrounding stadiums, parking lots, and fan zones should not be used for enforcement sweeps that could deter attendance or disproportionately affect local communities. The U.S. will host matches in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Arlington, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
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"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," Congresswoman Pou said in a press release.
"When I recently asked the head of ICE directly for a simple assurance that they would stay away from the games, he refused. That is unacceptable. So my legislation draws a firm line on the pitch: no ICE raids. There is no successful tournament if fans and players are looking over their shoulders. We want law enforcement to focus on strong security for the World Cup, not meeting civil immigration quotas. We should not allow fear to define this moment and ruin the games."
Democratic lawmakers say the measures are intended to reassure fans and communities near match venues and related events.
The Safe Passage to the World Cup Act, sponsored by California Democrat Eric Swalwell, who is running for Governor, would prohibit the use of federal funds by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice for civil immigration enforcement on public transit and at transit hubs in metropolitan areas hosting a 2026 FIFA World Cup match or Fan Festival from June 11 through July 19, 2026, unless exigent circumstances arise, such as imminent threats to life, terrorism, national security risks, immediate pursuit of dangerous individuals, or the imminent destruction of evidence.
"How can our country host the World Cup while deporting visiting fans from around the world?" said Rep. Swalwell. "As a former Division I soccer player, I know what an honor it is to host the world’s biggest sporting event. Our priority should be to showcase our best—not have police commandeering buses, trains, and public spaces. This bill ensures ICE cannot turn everyday public transportation into a place of terror. It is shameful for DHS to trap people with political stunts. We are better than this."
A spokesperson for CBP previously told Newsweek: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the FIFA Club World Cup 26 is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the Super Bowl. Our mission remains unchanged."
The Protect World Cup Attendees Act, introduced by New Jersey Democrat LaMonica McIver, would prohibit funds from the State Homeland Security Grant Program being used for civil immigration enforcement at World Cup game sites. It would also prevent state and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal funding from participating in Section 287(g) immigration enforcement programs during games in host cities.
"Fans from around the world and across the country will travel to New Jersey to watch the World Cup, and keeping them safe means protecting them from DHS attempting to turn this global event into a dragnet for the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda," McIver said in a press statement.
"We fought to secure millions of federal dollars so soccer fans can enjoy the biggest game in the world—they should not be intimidated by immigration enforcement. I’m introducing this bill to draw a clear line that makes sure state and local law enforcement can actually focus on keeping fans safe."
Last year, McIver was charged after a May 2025 confrontation with federal officers at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark during a congressional oversight visit.
Authorities allege she interfered with officers while trying to prevent the arrest of Newark’s mayor, whose charges were later dropped. She pleaded not guilty and sought dismissal on legislative immunity grounds, but a federal judge in November 2025 allowed two charges to proceed. McIver has since filed an appeal and continues to contest the case.
Mississippi Democrat Bennie Thompson, who serves as the Ranking Member on the House Homeland Security Committee, has cosponsored all three World Cup‑related immigration enforcement bills, joining three other House Democrats who cosponsored legislation they did not introduce.
All three bills were referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. Before any of the bills can become law, they must go through hearings, possible amendments, and votes in both the committee and the full House, and then be passed by the Senate and signed by the president.
The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement push has sparked national outrage after a series of killings of U.S citizens by federal immigration agents. An ICE agent fatally shot Renée Nicole Good, a 37‑year‑old poet and mother of three, during a January 7 enforcement operation in Minneapolis, and weeks later, Alex Pretti was also killed by CBP agents.
Newsweek has documented instances in which U.S. citizens were pulled from their vehicles, children were zip‑tied during immigration raids, and uncovered a third U.S. citizen, Ruben Ray Martines, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
The backlash has prompted House Democrats to introduce a series of bills aimed at increasing accountability and restricting ICE enforcement activities. However, with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the legislation is unlikely to advance into law without bipartisan support.
In response to the bills, a DHS spokesperson told Newsweek that the department would work with local and federal partners to secure the World Cup, "as we do with every major sporting event, while showcasing American greatness to the entire world."
"Our mission is simple: ensure every fan—Americans and visitors alike—has a safe and unforgettable experience," the spokesperson said. "International visitors who legally come to the United States for the World Cup have nothing to worry about.
"What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is whether or not they are illegally in the U.S.— full stop. Speculation to the contrary is ill-informed. At the same time, foreign visitors MUST be proactive and should start working on their travel plans and documents well ahead of time to ensure a smooth travel experience."
Update 3/20/26, 2:09 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from DHS.
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