They will be going after dangerous fugitives and provide protection during the largest sporting event in history, says the Secretary of Homeland Security.
By Catholics for Catholics
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will be watching closely during the upcoming World Cup, but what they will not be doing is rounding up illegal immigrants.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said officers will be busy targeting dangerous fugitives, possible terrorists and other criminal activity, but they will be laying off illegal immigrants during the summer games, according to a story by Newsmax.
Mullin told CBS News that ICE personnel may show up at FIFA World Cup events in the United States as part of more extensive security operations, but emphasized that the agency’s main role will be public safety, not all-encompassing immigration raids.
“We’re not there to go round up mass individuals,” Mullin said. “But we are always looking for the worst of the worst.”
The World Cup is considered internationally as the largest, most popular sports competition in the globe. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to draw millions of international visitors.
Homeland Security officials said federal agencies are coordinating with local law enforcement to secure stadiums, transportation systems, and surrounding venues.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Wednesday that ICE officers working during this summer's FIFA World Cup will enforce immigration laws, "but we're not there for solely that purpose."
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 13, 2026
"So if we find a felon, or we find someone doing customs, we're going to go after them," he… pic.twitter.com/dWYa6zACdM
Mullin pointed out that ICE has historically taken part in security operations at major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, where officers often concentrate on criminal activity such as counterfeit merchandise, ticket fraud, and locating dangerous fugitives.
“When they’re at these sporting events, we’re not out there doing immigration enforcement,” Mullin told CBS News. “But we are looking for people that shouldn’t be in this country because they’re on terrorist watchlists.”
Nevertheless, according to NBC News, ICE officers may still arrest people if they encounter individuals who are in the country illegally or wanted for serious crimes.
Notwithstanding, DHS officials stressed that spectators and tourists legally visiting the United States should not be worried.
“International visitors who legally come to the United States for the World Cup have nothing to worry about,” a DHS spokesperson told The Hill.
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