U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou (D-9), the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Task Force overseeing security preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, today introduced the Save the World Cup Act, new legislation that would block the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security from conducting civil immigration enforcement raids within one mile of soccer matches and fan festivals during the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

The legislation is sponsored by Ranking Member Pou and Congressmembers Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14) and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), all members of the Task Force, and House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02).

“With fewer than 90 days until kickoff, the World Cup should bring the world together and not leave families wondering if ICE agents will be waiting outside stadiums,” said Congresswoman Pou. “When I recently asked the head of ICE directly for a simple assurance that they would stay away from the games, he refused. That is unacceptable. So my legislation draws a firm line on the pitch: no ICE raids. There is no successful tournament if fans and players are looking over their shoulders. We want law enforcement to focus on strong security for the World Cup, not meeting civil immigration quotas. We should not allow fear to define this moment and ruin the games.”

“How can our country host the World Cup while deporting visiting fans from around the world?” said Rep. Swalwell. “As a former Division I soccer player, I know what an honor it is to host the world’s biggest sporting event. Our priority should be to showcase our best—not have police commandeering buses, trains, and public spaces. This bill ensures ICE cannot turn everyday public transportation into a place of terror. It is shameful for DHS to trap people with political stunts. We are better than this.”

“Fans from around the world and across the country will travel to New Jersey to watch the World Cup, and keeping them safe means protecting them from DHS attempting to turn this global event into a dragnet for the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda,” said Rep. McIver. “We fought to secure millions of federal dollars so soccer fans can enjoy the biggest game in the world—they should not be intimidated by immigration enforcement. I’m introducing this bill to draw a clear line that makes sure state and local law enforcement can actually focus on keeping fans safe.”

In an opinion piece at The Guardian published just last week, Pou warned about “two critical threats” to the success of the upcoming World Cup: withheld security money and the activities of ICE.

In an exchange on the social media platform X, Pou pushed back on a statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem wrote in a post, “No funds have been awarded yet under the FIFA World Cup grant program. The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup and America 250.” Pou replied on X, “This is simply not true. World Cup security funding was enacted into law last summer and these matches have been scheduled for years. DHS’ own notice of funding opportunity for this grant program listed the anticipated award date as ‘no later than January 30, 2026.’ Well before the funding impasse. It’s time for DHS to do its job.”

Congresswoman Pou’s district will host multiple FIFA World Cup matches, including the championship game. As Task Force Ranking Member, she has repeatedly warned that ICE enforcement actions and broader security gaps could jeopardize the tournament’s success.

At an oversight hearing on February 10, in response to a direct question from Pou, the head of ICE refused to rule out enforcement activity at or around World Cup games this summer when questioned by Congresswoman Pou. Two days later, Pou led a letter with her Task Force colleagues demanding that the Chairman call an emergency hearing on ICE’s impact on the coming World Cup.