FIFA World Cup: ICE will be an ‘essential part of security’ in the US

The acting head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told a congressional committee that the agency is “an essential part of the overall World Cup security apparatus” when asked if he would cease operations at this summer’s tournament.

Todd Lyons and other senior officials were questioned by lawmakers on the House Homeland Security Committee after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot and killed two US citizens as part of US President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.

The deaths of Alex Peretti and Renee Goode sparked outrage across the country.

Representative Nellie Poe – from New Jersey’s 9th District, which includes MetLife Stadium where the World Cup final will be held – asked about the Lions., external If ICE commits to temporarily halting operations around matches and other FIFA events.

It claimed that visitors’ confidence had “declined and the World Cup was being put in jeopardy”.

Lyons responded by insisting that ICE is “committed to securing this operation, and we are committed to the security of all our participants as well as the visitors.”

“You realize that then,” said Poe [fans] Do they feel that they will be unjustly imprisoned, unjustly removed, and this will harm the entire process?”

“Yes, ma’am, and ICE is committed to ensuring that everyone who visits the facilities has a safe and secure event,” Lyons responded.

Both American citizens, Jude and Preeti, were shot multiple times during enforcement operations.

Their deaths — and the broader action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement — caused outrage in Minneapolis, where about 3,000 agents were deployed at Trump’s direction to crack down on illegal immigration.

Some of those clients have since left the city.

Last month, the Football Supporters in Europe (FSE) group told BBC Sport it was “deeply concerned about the ongoing militarization of police forces in the United States” ahead of this summer’s World Cup in North America.

The EDP also said it may ask national football associations to consider withdrawing from the tournament if safety guarantees are not provided.

FIFA said the safety and security of fans and participants is its “top priority,” adding that it is working closely with local authorities to “plan, coordinate and implement comprehensive security measures for the tournament.”

The United States is scheduled to host 78 matches in 11 cities, while hosts Canada and Mexico will host 13 matches each.