Concerns have emerged over the potential involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in security operations during the upcoming World Cup events, with no definitive policy decisions yet announced. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons previously indicated that the agency would play a “key part” in security efforts for the tournament, similar to its role in other major sporting events. Lyons is expected to leave his position at the end of May, leaving uncertainty about whether his departure might lead to changes in ICE’s role or public messaging before the games begin.

At the state level, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been vocal in opposing ICE’s presence at the World Cup. Speaking at the State House last week, Healey stated, “there’s no place for ICE at the World Cup,” asserting that ICE should not be involved at all. She dismissed earlier comments by local officials suggesting ICE’s involvement at Logan Airport as “a lot of rhetoric [and] a lot of posturing.” Healey also highlighted that about 25% of travelers through Logan Airport are foreign nationals and emphasized that Massachusetts does not operate as a sanctuary state.

Other host cities have offered their perspectives on ICE’s participation in security operations. Natalie Hamilton, a spokesperson for the New York-New Jersey World Cup host committee, told media outlets that federal agency presence at venues is connected to overall security efforts—including counterterrorism, anti-trafficking, and counterfeit enforcement—and is not linked to immigration enforcement. Similarly, Kathryn Schloessman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 host committee, said there is currently no indication that ICE will be deployed at major venues such as SoFi Stadium and the LA Memorial Coliseum.

Requests for comments from Boston 26 were declined, with the station deferring questions to FIFA. FIFA, in turn, directed inquiries to a White House FIFA task force, which did not respond to requests for comment.

Advocacy groups have also weighed in on the issue. Working Families Power, the organization behind the “ICE Out” campaign worn by celebrities during the awards season, has launched a petition calling for a suspension of ICE operations during the World Cup. The group also demands the lifting of existing travel bans on Haiti, Iran, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal—countries whose national teams will compete in the tournament but whose citizens face restrictions on entering the United States. Human Rights Watch has similarly called for an immigration enforcement “truce” during the event, arguing that enforcement policies contradict the inclusive spirit of the World Cup.

The travel restrictions stem from proclamations issued during the Trump administration last year, which limited or barred entry for nationals from 39 countries. As a result, many fans from affected countries, including those mentioned above, are prohibited from attending matches held in the United States unless they had obtained visas prior to the implementation of the bans or qualified for specific exemptions. This policy poses challenges for supporters hoping to attend games in cities such as Boston.