New bill would bar ICE raids near World Cup matches in US host cities

New Jersey Democrat Nellie Pou introduced legislation Thursday that would prohibit ICE from conducting immigration enforcement raids within one mile of FIFA World Cup matches and fan festivals during the tournament in the US this summer, which begins June 12. The bill, called the Save the World Cup Act, comes after ICE chief Todd Lyons declined to rule out enforcement operations near stadiums and fan events. Pou argues the prohibition is necessary to reassure international visitors they won't be detained and to prevent the threat of immigration enforcement from dampening attendance at the sporting events. The measure aims to remove what supporters describe as a "chilling effect" that could discourage people from attending World Cup activities if they fear ICE operations in those areas. The bill's success will depend on support from both chambers of Congress in the coming months before the tournament begins.