The Department of Homeland Security confirmed in May that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be at stadiums hosting World Cup matches in a “security role” during the tournament. Border Czar Tom Homan also threatened to flood New York City with ICE agents. In response, out of concern for immigrant New Yorkers, tourists, and workers caught up in sports enthusiasm this month, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has launched a new $130 million “Know Your Rights” initiative to warn people about ICE efforts during the event, which is currently under way in several places in the U.S, Canada, and Mexico.
“The World Cup is a time when people from around the world come together around a shared love of soccer,” said Mamdani in a statement. “We have no tolerance for those who want to use the tournament as an opportunity to take advantage of New Yorkers, whether that’s through deceptive business practices, violations of our labor laws, or other forms of exploitation. Our administration is launching this blitz to ensure that New Yorkers and visitors know their rights and know that our administration stands ready to uphold the law.”
In response, the mayor’s office has disseminated cards with information about interactions with ICE agents; worker and consumer protections for those working during the summer events; and various city hotlines that are free, safe, and confidential to use. The cards are translated into Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bangla, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Urdu, French, and Wolof.
“For millions of New Yorkers, the World Cup represents far more than a soccer tournament. For immigrants living far from their homes, far from their countries that shaped them, it is one of the most powerful connections they have to their home(s),” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Faiza Ali in a statement. “At the same time, Federal Immigration Enforcement continues to sow fear in our communities, threatening to disappear our neighbors and tear families apart … If their goal is to instill fear, our answer is to meet people where they are and connect them with the information and the resources that they need to be safe, prepared, and informed.”
Local community organizations, labor unions, and Hands Off NYC also joined the citywide campaign to prepare neighborhoods for ICE’s presence during the World Cup and other festivities, fanzones, and events in all five boroughs.
“The World Cup should be a celebration of our unity in diversity. DHS’s decision to have racist and violent ICE agents present at World Cup matches goes against the spirit of the sport, and the spirit of the host city,” said Hannah Stauss, co-founder of Hands Off NYC, in a statement. “Fans deserve to enjoy this once-in-a-generation moment free from intimidation and harassment.”
