Congress take ICE action ahead of World Cup as three bills introduced

A congresswoman has put forward a bill requesting that no federal funding be used in relation to ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity within one mile of any FIFA World Cup match hosted in the United States.

On Thursday (19 March), the congresswoman, who represents New Jersey, put forward the request, reportedly titled the “Save the World Cup Act”, according to The Athletic.

Nellie Pou, who has served as the US Representative for New Jersey’s 9th congressional district since 2025, proposed the legislation, which is also backed by LaMonica McIver and Eric Swalwell.

Swalwell, who serves as the US Representative for California’s 14th congressional district, has also penned a bill called “Safe Passage to the World Cup”, aimed at preventing federal funds from being used for immigration enforcement activities in any US metropolitan area hosting a World Cup match or FIFA Fan Festival.

ICE agents in Minnesota (Credit:Getty)

Eleven US cities will host a total of 78 fixtures during the World Cup, with the other 26 split between Mexico and Canada.

The Athletic also reports that Swalwell and Pou have co-sponsored McIver’s “Protest the World Cup attendees” proposal.

The act “seeks to prevent agencies or entities that have taken federal money from participating in immigration enforcement programmes during the World Cup”.

This may impact police forces operating under 287(g) agreements with the government, which allow ICE to make immigration decisions on behalf of local police forces.

According to ICE's official website a 287 (g) agreement allows law enforcement agencies to expand power to "identify and process removable aliens with pending or active criminal charges".

In January, ICE agents caused outrage in Minnesota after shooting dead two US citizens – Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

Just last month, ICE acting director Todd Lyons said agents would form a “key part” of the tournament’s security, despite backlash against the force.

When Pou put it to Lyons that ICE would be detrimental to the tournament, he replied: “ICE is dedicated to ensuring everyone who visits the facilities will have a safe and secure event.”

Pou also suggested that visitor confidence in the tournament’s organisers was “plummeting and jeopardising the World Cup”.

The World Cup gets underway on 11 June, with Mexico set to take on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in the tournament's opener.