Los Angeles World Cup workers threaten strike over ICE deployment
Union representing 2,000 hospitality staff warns of industrial action if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are present at the venue hosting the US opening fixture.
Workers at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles have issued a strike threat against the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Represented by UNITE HERE Local 11, the union is demanding explicit federal guarantees that the agency will not be present at the venue, which will be designated as the Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament.
The union, which represents approximately 2,000 hospitality employees, is seeking assurances that ICE will not operate during the eight matches scheduled at the site. These fixtures include the United States’ opening game on June 12. Union representatives argue that the presence of federal immigration enforcement would create an atmosphere of fear for both staff and spectators, potentially disrupting the operational integrity of the event.
Isaac Martinez, a stadium cook and union member, stated that workers do not wish to live in fear of detention while commuting to or from work. He emphasised that the workforce, largely composed of food and beverage concession staff, is prepared to strike if an agreement on security protocols is not reached. The union’s stance highlights broader concerns regarding the role of federal law enforcement in sporting venues during a high-profile international tournament.
Beyond physical presence, protesters have raised significant policy concerns regarding FIFA’s accreditation process. Workers are requesting that personal data submitted for tournament accreditation not be shared with ICE, foreign governments, or other intelligence services. Yolanda Fierro, another worker involved in the protest, explicitly called on FIFA to protect employee information from being transferred to agencies with immigration enforcement mandates.
The protest has drawn political attention, including support from Tom Steyer, a Democratic candidate in California’s gubernatorial race. Steyer questioned the relevance of an agency focused on border control to a global sporting event, describing ICE as an “absolute threat” and a “lawless threat” to workers in the state. His comments underscore the growing political friction surrounding the agency’s activities in California.
ICE has been central to President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, facing condemnation from human rights groups for its conduct during raids in several US cities, including Los Angeles last year. The agency’s operations have also been scrutinised following incidents in early 2026, where ICE agents fatally shot two American protesters in Minneapolis. These events have intensified debates about the scope and conduct of federal immigration enforcement.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the tournament approaches, the unresolved negotiations between the union and stadium officials regarding security protocols remain a critical point of contention. The outcome of these discussions will determine whether industrial action proceeds, potentially impacting the operational readiness of one of the tournament’s key venues.
