He started the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the secretary of DHS, Markwayne Mullindefended the denial of visas to participants, including a referee from Somalia, a member of the Iraqi team’s internal team, and fans from various nations.
Mullin defended the actions stating that “We will not allow people with criminal records or who are suspected of having links to crime to enter this country”.
“Now, the left-wing media wants to go out and report and say that this guy is a victim because we are against Somalia. No, we are not,” he added.
“We talk to FIFA and their directors constantly. For anyone who was denied entry, we explain the case and show them why they were denied entry,” Mullin said.
The World Cup takes place in the middle of a harsh campaign of arrests and deportations by the Donald Trump governmentwhich aims to remove from the country more than a million immigrants annually.
Prior to the event that takes place in United States, Mexico and Canadacivil rights organizations such as Human Rights Peep and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) They warned of the dangers of traveling to the United States and of letting our guard down in the middle of the tournament, since immigration agencies will assist in security work.
In fact, The Opinion reported that Human Rights Peep and the coalition Sport & Rights Alliance “they launched a desperate call for help to the corporate partners and sponsors of the tournament to demand a ‘truce with ICE’stopping immigration raids and detentions while the football festival lasts.”
In the United States they will be played 78 of the 104 games of the World Cup.
Prior to the start of the event, the press widely reported on the fears of the immigrant community that normally fills the stadiums at this type of event.
Although the DHS denied planning raids on stadiums, it did not actually rule it out either, indicating that only those without documents have to worry.
“The World Cup should be a key moment for the United States to demonstrate what has always made our country stronger: welcoming people from around the world and uniting communities through a shared experience. Instead, the tournament begins in a context of immigration policies that have generated confusion, fear, chaos and uncertainty”he declared Mario Carrillocampaign director of The US’s Divulge.
Trump shields funds for ICE and CBP until 2029
Meanwhile, Trump shores up funding for detentions and deportations; The president turned into law the project that grants ICE already CBP an additional 70 billion dollars to your budget 170 billionfor a total of $240 billion guaranteed throughout Trump’s presidency, through 2029.
The Opinion reported that of the 70 billion approved, 38 thousand 500 million dollars They will be allocated to ICE for hiring, training and remuneration of internal most. Within this item are included $7 billion for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
For its part, CBP will receive 22.6 billion dollars to strengthen border surveillance, hire new agents and improve the equipment used at land crossings and ports of entry.
The legislation also reserves $3.5 billion for border security technologyincluding surveillance systems, monitoring and intelligence tools.
These funds were approved without the implementation of reforms and safeguards that impose controls on documented violence by immigration agents. Nor was accountability guaranteed for actions that have even caused deaths during operations and in detention centers.
Deaths in custody and pressure on DACA beneficiaries
The Opinion reported that A 43-year-old Georgian immigrant died in ICE custody in Louisianabecoming the nineteenth person died in an immigration detention center so far in 2026.
“The records further show that 2025 closed with 32 deaths in ICE custodythe highest number reported in more than two decades,” the newspaper added.
In addition, JeanCarlos Fiallos Manzanaresa resident of Miami Gardens, Florida, carries detained by ICE for a year despite being a DACA beneficiary.
“The JeanCarlos case highlights the flagrant efforts to nullify the protections of the DACA program and expel hundreds of thousands of people from their status and their homes,” criticized the movement. Home is Here.
One of the Trump administration’s strategies is to cancel immigration protections such as the TPS or the humanitarian parolemaking its beneficiaries vulnerable to detention and deportation.
In the case of DACAdelays in permit renewal have caused some beneficiaries to face employment difficulties and even risks of detention.
In fact, this June 15 marks 14 years of DACAin the midst of Trump’s aggressive deportation campaign and without a legislative solution for the so-called Dreamers.
Quote of the week
“Singing my country’s national anthem in a stadium, in front of everyone, is a historic moment that no one would want to miss… But, at the same time, I think twice. I don’t want ICE to detain me“, a Haitian immigrant from Ohio, a TPS beneficiary, told AFP.
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