Werder Bremen cancels trip to US over fears of ICE shooting

German club Werder Bremen have canceled a trip to the United States, citing concerns about “unrest” in the wake of a government crackdown on immigration that left two people dead.

The Bundesliga team was planning to play friendly matches in Minnesota and Detroit in May.

Two US citizens – Alex Peretti and Renee Judd – were shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota last month during “Operation Metro Surge,” sparking large protests across the United States.

A Werder spokesman told BBC Sport that the Trump administration’s crackdown was among the “sporting, economic and political reasons” that led to the club abandoning its plans.

“Playing in a city where there is unrest and where people are being shot does not fit our values,” he said.

“Furthermore, it was not clear to us which players would be able to enter the United States at all due to the more stringent entry requirements.”

The Trump administration has moved to tighten visa rules — implementing an outright ban on some nationalities — citing national security as the reason.

The spokesman added that Bremen’s struggles in the Bundesliga, where they are struggling to avoid relegation, were also a factor.

“We are currently facing a very difficult sporting situation, which makes planning such a trip difficult,” he said. “There were also some economic risks.”

Werder are winless in their last 12 Bundesliga matches and are 16th in the 18-team league table – a position that would leave them facing a relegation play-off against the third-placed team in Bundesliga 2.