Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed on June 1 that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not conduct civil immigration enforcement during the FIFA World Cup games or related events held in Los Angeles [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Federal officials advised Sheriff Luna directly, and he personally verified this with the regional head of Homeland Security [1, 2, 3, 5]. "They told us that specifically would not be occurring at any of the games," Luna said, noting that any change would cause serious problems [1].
ICE agents will still be present in Los Angeles during the World Cup to assist with security measures but will not detain anyone or carry out enforcement activities at stadium venues [1, 2, 3, 5]. This follows heightened community tensions after masked ICE raids in Los Angeles last year led to large protests and demonstrations [1, 2, 3, 4]. Stadium workers protested in May against ICE presence during the World Cup, expressing fears about a climate of fear while working [3]. Isaac Martinez, a stadium cook and protester, said, "ICE should have no role in these games. We do not want to live in fear coming to work, or fear being detained going home." [3]
Security plans include increased law enforcement staffing for matches involving Iran at SoFi Stadium due to geopolitical tensions and the ongoing war between the US and Iran [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Sheriff Luna said, "Iran does bring a different dynamic because of the current world events. So there will be additional staffing for some of those games." [1] Iran is scheduled to play two group-stage matches at SoFi Stadium: June 15 against New Zealand and June 21 against Belgium, followed by a third match June 26 in Seattle [3, 5].
The first World Cup match in Los Angeles kicks off June 12 with the U.S. facing Paraguay at SoFi Stadium [1, 2, 3, 5]. There will be a total of eight World Cup matches played in Los Angeles [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Authorities will enforce temporary flight restrictions and maintain a zero-tolerance policy on unauthorized drones around the stadium [1, 2, 4]. Patrick Grandy, FBI assistant director in charge, said, "If a drone's violating a temporary flight restriction, the capability exists to bring that drone down into a safe location away from the crowds. We are going to be constantly monitoring the areas around the facilities, looking for violators of those temporary flight restrictions. Zero tolerance policy." [1]
The tournament begins with the US match on June 12, followed by Iran’s group matches at SoFi Stadium on June 15 and June 21, before their third game June 26 in Seattle [3, 5].
