ICE going to 'be out there every day' during World Cup, DHS says
The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will be "out there every day" during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In a video message published to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement X account, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said agents would be deployed throughout the tournament in an effort to crack down on "criminal activities."
"Now what a lot of people don't think about when they start talking about the World Cup is what about the counterfeit products that come in or the human trafficking? When you have crowds this big, criminal activities follow," Mullin said.
He added that ICE and its investigative arm would maintain a visible presence.
"Well ICE and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) are going to be out there every day, fighting against the counterfeit tickets, human trafficking, drug smuggling, counterfeit products," Mullin said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna spoke with Eyewitness News on Thursday and shared the department's plans to work with federal law enforcement.
"We do human trafficking with them. They will help us with security. The FBI will, the Secret Service will ... we anticipate there will be a lot of heads of state coming in," he said. "We will have to work collectively, but we will keep the game safe for everyone who lives here and people visiting as well."
SoFi Stadium is hosting eight matches, including the USA opener against Paraguay on June 12.
Mullin previously told CBS News that the role of ICE agents at the World Cup was not to "go round up mass individuals," but said that they were "always looking for the worst of the worst."
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to draw large crowds, with federal authorities emphasizing enforcement efforts tied to public safety and criminal activity.
