New England immigrant advocates issue travel advisory ahead of World Cup

Days ahead of FIFA World Cup games in Boston, New England immigrant and refugee advocacy groups issued a travel warning for international fans. The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition was among those to warn journalists, athletes, delegation members and others that they could face heightened scrutiny and possible rights violations from U.S. federal agents during the tournament. “Soccer should be bringing families and communities together, not tearing them apart,” Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, said in a joint news release. “FIFA must uphold its commitment to human rights by keeping (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) out of this year’s World Cup.” Advocates [warned last month](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/05/11/ice-activity-is-increasing-in-maine-immigration-rights-advocates-warn/) about an apparent increase in federal immigration enforcement in Maine. They said reports of arrests have been sporadic but more consistent than they had been since the surge in January, when about [200 people were arrested](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/the-mainers-detained-by-ice/) in just a few days. In an interview Monday, Chitam said fans in Maine are scaling back plans for hosting or traveling to World Cup viewing parties at homes. Some organizations are making plans for alternate gatherings that might feel more safe, if less raucous, she said. “You would have seen house parties where they are barbecuing and watching and screaming,” Chitam said. “That’s the thing they are missing and feel like they will miss.” Advertisement [Sixteen cities across North America](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/host-cities) will host games during [the World Cup](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums). Play starts Thursday, and the first of seven matches at Gillette Stadium near Boston is Saturday. Advocates said the region expects 2 million to 3 million visitors for the tournament. Related [Immigration advocates in Maine launch new reporting system](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/03/immigration-advocates-in-maine-launch-new-reporting-system/) Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in an emailed statement Monday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will “continue leveraging every available authority, technology and partnership” to make sure the games are safe and successful. Foreign visitors must be proactive with their travel plans and documents to “ensure a smooth travel experience,” she said. “International visitors who legally come to the United States for the World Cup have nothing to worry about,” Bis said. “What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is whether or not they are illegally in the U.S. — full stop. Speculation to the contrary is ill-informed.” The statement did not address questions about enforcement operations at the games in Boston. [The Boston Globe has reported](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/05/13/sports/world-cup-soccer-foxborough-plans/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) that Foxborough’s police chief said in May that ICE would not be involved in security at the games. [The advisory](https://miracoalition.org/world-cup-2026-resources-for-new-england/) for the region warned that international travelers could be at risk of denial of entry, arrest, detention or deportation. Advocates also warned about screening of social media accounts and searches of electronic devices at ports of entry, suppression of speech, racial profiling, and dangerous and degrading conditions in detention. Advertisement People from Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean are among those particularly at risk of being targeted based on national origin, race or language, the advisory said. “The World Cup should be a moment when the world comes together through sport to celebrate our diversity and an international competition, but because of inaction, it could put waves of international travelers at grave risk,” Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, said in the news release. “FIFA and the host committee must demand safety guarantees for local and international fans, vendors and journalists,” Sweet said. “We need local, state and particularly federal leaders to join with these efforts to keep these games safe for all.” Related [A year of Trump’s immigration enforcement in Maine, in 5 charts](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/08/a-year-of-trumps-immigration-enforcement-in-maine-in-5-charts/) In April, the American Civil Liberties Union led 120 civil society organizations [in issuing a national travel warning](https://www.aclu.org/documents/2026-world-cup-travel-advisory) “in light of the deteriorating human rights situation in the United States and in the absence of meaningful and concrete guarantees from FIFA.” Those organizations advised that international travelers consult the ACLU, the National Immigration Law Center, Amnesty USA and other organizations for information about their rights while interacting with law enforcement. Journalists can find resources from the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders. They also said visitors from other countries should secure their electronic devices, such as by removing sensitive information and turning off facial recognition or fingerprint passwords, and alert others of their travel plans. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [immigration](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/immigration/), [Immigration and Customs Enforcement](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/immigration-and-customs-enforcement/), [world cup soccer](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/world-cup-soccer/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/megan-doyle) [Megan GrayStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/megan-doyle) Megan Gray covers the outdoors and tourism at the Portland Press Herald. A Midwest native, she moved to Maine in 2016. She has written about presidential politics and local government, jury trials and. [More by Megan Gray](https://www.pressherald.com/author/megan-doyle)