US ICE Agents to Patrol World Cup Stadiums Daily

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers will be present at all major stadiums hosting the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19. The agency will work with Customs and Border Protection and local partners to target ticket fraud, counterfeit merchandise, drug trafficking and human‑trafficking operations, a strategy the DHS likened to the security model used at the recent Super Bowl.

The plan has sparked anxiety among migrant‑rights groups and Latino communities, who fear the daily ICE presence could lead to raids and deportations. Community leader José Jiménez warned families are already limiting public activities, and social‑media users have criticized the move, calling it “a racist brigade preparing for the next World Cup.”