Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that officials will be present at the opening game of the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday, with some speculating about the possibility that agents will conduct immigration enforcement operations in the vicinity of the stadium.
"Let the games begin! The first FIFA Club World Cup games start on June 14th in Miami... CBP will be suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games," the agency said in a social media post.
NBC News Miami noted that it asked what it meant with the message but didn't get a respond. The outlet added that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will also be present at the games. Officials said they would be providing security but reminded non-Americans to carry proof of legal status.
Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition expressed concern about the message, saying "it's sort of alluding that people should have their paperwork in order to attend the games."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he isn't concerned about the presence of agents in the events. "Of course the most important for us is to guarantee security for all the fans who come to the games, this is our priority," he said.
Miami-Dade Mayor Danielle Levine Cava backed the claim: "We're here to make sure people are safe, that's our focus, to work with all of the law enforcement personnel, our safety personnel, and make sure they have a seamless experience," she said.
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