Between Fan Festival and Arrest - Will ICE Overshadow the World Cup in New Jersey?

In a few months, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is set to become the center of a global sporting event. Eight matches of the World Cup are scheduled there, including the final on July 19. Hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world are expected in the New York and New Jersey region. Hotels, restaurants, cafés, small businesses - many are preparing for a summer that is supposed to bring new economic records. Yet over the anticipation hangs a question that only weeks ago was dismissed as rumor and has now been officially confirmed: the US immigration agency ICE will be present at the World Cup.

The debate was triggered by a hearing in Washington. Nellie Pou, Democratic representative from New Jersey, whose district includes the stadium, questioned ICE Director Todd Lyons about the agency’s plans. His answer did not reassure her. ICE, more precisely its investigative division Homeland Security Investigations, would be a “key and major component” of the security structure surrounding the tournament. Lyons did not rule out the deployment of tactical units - those heavily equipped teams whose operations in Minneapolis sparked protests after two US citizens were shot and killed during federal operations.

The official line from the Department of Homeland Security is that anyone entering the United States legally has nothing to fear. The decisive factor is solely whether someone is in the country illegally. Speculation beyond that is misguided. At the same time, officials emphasized that international visitors should begin their travel preparations early to ensure a smooth process. For Pou, the concern remains. She speaks of “draconian methods” by the agency and points to cases in which even US citizens or lawfully present individuals were mistakenly detained. In Paterson, a working class city with a large Spanish speaking population, she knows the mood. Many of her constituents are passionate soccer fans. At the same time, some fear being caught in an opaque system of control and detention, even if they are legally in the country. “This will cause chaos, I believe,” she says.

The economic expectations are high. For the region alone, an impact of 3.3 billion dollars is projected. MetLife Stadium seats 82,500, and several hundred thousand visitors could travel to the metropolitan area. Caffè Roma, less than five kilometers from the stadium, expects strong business. Owner Michael LoBue hears the noise of major games and concerts through his open window. He has no concerns about ICE. He points to the televisions in his café, which regularly show soccer. He does not expect problems.

A restaurant employee from Mexico City, Daniel, who does not want to give his last name, sees it differently. He lives legally in the United States but still fears consequences. Friends of his are considering attending matches if they get tickets. He himself will not go.

Pou also warns of possible operations outside the stadium. At previous tournaments, including the Club World Cup and the Copa América 2024, public screens were set up in the surrounding area. Fans gathered there to watch together. Such locations could also come into focus, as research and information indicate. State and local authorities have decades of experience with large scale events at MetLife Stadium - from NFL games of the New York Jets and New York Giants to international concerts. “We have a major event here every week,” Pou says. “This is not our first rodeo.”

Whether ICE’s presence ultimately remains a purely security measure or alters the atmosphere of the World Cup remains to be seen. Between a global soccer celebration and domestic political toughness now stands a tournament that was supposed to bring people together. We do not view the event critically - we view critically where it will take place. ICE has already booked hotels, months in advance, near fan zones, near the stadium - as if proximity to something significant also makes one significant.

Under Trump, human rights have not been pushed into the background. They have been abolished. Partially. In practice. On the streets, authorities behave in ways that no longer reflect Western ethical standards. International associations remain silent. The German Football Association received three inquiries from us. It does not respond. That is also a kind of answer - the answer of looking away, and whoever looks away tolerates. Then there is FIFA, led by Gianni Infantino, someone whose morality operates on the lowest level. A boycott would be the best response. But there are no signs of that. Werder Bremen set a sign. They did not go. Their US trip is canceled. ICE will be there. Because the hotels are already paid for. And that may be the entire story of the World Cup: that people know and still go.