Fear at the Gate: ICE Presence Casts Shadow Over FIFA Club World Cup in Miami
By The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | June 11, 2025
As the world turns its eyes to Miami for the start of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, immigrant communities in South Florida are bracing for something far more alarming than a soccer match: the potential presence of U.S. immigration agents at the gates.
Concerns reached a boiling point after a now-deleted social media post by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) suggested that ICE agents would be present at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, when Inter Miami — led by global icon Lionel Messi — is set to face off against Egypt’s Al Ahly.
Though local officials have moved quickly to downplay the fears, damage has already been done.
“It’s disturbing that Border Patrol not only announced their presence at the game but also implied that people should have their immigration paperwork in order to attend,” said Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “That’s not public safety — that’s intimidation.”
A Game Overshadowed by Fear
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz attempted to provide clarity, assuring the public that local law enforcement — not ICE — is responsible for stadium security.
“We are in charge of security at the stadium for Club World Cup,” Cordero-Stutz said. “While we're working with our state and local partners, that is not our priority that day.”
But in a state still operating under the 287(g) agreement — a controversial policy allowing local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE — immigrant families are not convinced. Advocacy groups say the timing of the CBP post, combined with a broader surge in immigration raids, has created an atmosphere of fear and suppression right before one of the most anticipated global sporting events of the year.
A Broader Pattern: ICE Raids Surge Nationwide
This isn’t an isolated incident. Across the U.S., ICE raids have intensified, with reports of agents using deceptive tactics to lure immigrants into detainment — including at check-in offices and even religious spaces.
The now-deleted CBP post touched a raw nerve, exposing a long-standing fear: that public events may become new hunting grounds for federal immigration enforcement, driving undocumented immigrants into the shadows once again — even as they seek normalcy through something as universal as sports.
The Haitian Pulse Speaks Out
At The Haitian Pulse, we see this moment for what it is: a targeted reminder of who is — and isn’t — welcome in public spaces. It’s a strategy to discourage attendance, dampen visibility, and fracture immigrant unity.
But we also see an opportunity: for community members to rally, remain informed, and organize.
We urge all Haitian and immigrant families in South Florida to proceed with caution — but also to remain empowered. Know your rights. Travel in groups. And most importantly, let your presence be a statement: We belong here.
Because silence is compliance — and presence is resistance.
Stay Connected — Stay Protected
Follow The Haitian Pulse for real-time updates on ICE activity, legal resources, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. In times like these, information isn’t just power — it’s protection.
If you or someone you know witnesses suspicious immigration enforcement activity, report it to your local immigrant advocacy group or contact our team confidentially.
The Haitian Pulse
No Filter. No Fear. Just Facts.
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