ICE civil – Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says federal officials told him civil immigration enforcement will not occur at FIFA World Cup games or events in Los Angeles, as law enforcement outlines security plans for eight matches starting June 12 amid heightened
For weeks, Los Angeles County has held its breath over whether FIFA World Cup venues could become the stage for federal immigration enforcement. On Monday, Sheriff Robert Luna stepped to a podium with federal, state and local officials and tried to close the gap between rumor and reality.
“A couple of weeks ago there was some reporting. or rumors. about ICE potentially being at the FIFA games or events. ” Luna said at a press conference alongside local. state and federal law enforcement officials. He said he called the head of Homeland Security for the L.A. region after hearing that possibility.
“What he stated is that there will be federal agents … because it’s going to take all of us to make sure that all the venues, the scoped and unscoped events, are secure,” Luna said.
Then he drew a sharper line: “But in regard to civil immigration enforcement, they told us that specifically would not be occurring at any of the games.”
Luna also warned that the assurance was not permanent. “Any of that is subject to change, but I have trust that they’re giving me the appropriate information because if that starts occurring, we’re going to have a whole new host of problems,” he said.
The stakes behind that promise aren’t abstract. Immigration raids by masked ICE agents in Los Angeles last year sparked a wave of demonstrations in the region—an aftermath that still frames how many residents are likely to judge any future federal action.
The World Cup itself begins drawing crowds in phases. Authorities outlined security plans for eight matches beginning on June 12, with federal, state and local law enforcement preparing for a mix of venues and public fan activity.
Iran’s matches bring added pressure
Luna said staffing will rise around Iran’s two games in Los Angeles. The plan includes monitoring for possible protests or other activity near the stadium and fan zones.
“Iran and the United States are in negotiations to end their three-month-old war,” Luna said.
Iran is scheduled to play its first match of the tournament on June 15 at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles. in a region home to the largest concentration of Iranians outside Iran. “Iran does bring a different dynamic because of the current world events,” Luna said. “So there will be additional staffing for some of those games.”.
Drone rules become a hard enforcement target
Alongside immigration and protest-prevention planning, officials also turned to a different kind of threat—one that can show up quickly and without warning: unauthorized drones.
Authorities warned drones would face strict enforcement around World Cup venues, with temporary flight restrictions expected around facilities. Patrick Grandy, FBI assistant director in charge, said the response capability is already in place.
“If a drone’s violating a temporary flight restriction, the capability exists to bring that drone down into a safe location away from the crowds,” Grandy said.
He described persistent monitoring: “We are going to be constantly monitoring the areas around the facilities. looking for violators of those temporary flight restrictions. ” Grandy said. adding that the policy is not just surveillance but enforcement—warning of “a zero tolerance policy” for those who willingly violate the restrictions.
Prosecutors warn would-be offenders: timing matters
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the security effort would bring an unusually large law enforcement presence to the region. He put a sharp clock on it.
“Between the dates of June 11th, all the way through July 19th, if you are a criminal, this is a terrible time to commit a crime,” Hochman said. He added: “The district attorney’s office will prosecute you, and you will be punished.”
That timeline runs alongside the World Cup’s opening stretch, when law enforcement will be operating in and around venues and fan zones as Iran plays its first match on June 15 and additional matches roll in starting June 12.
For many residents. Luna’s central message may be the most emotional one: federal agents could be present. but civil immigration enforcement won’t be carried out at games or events. For others. the promise will live or die on the final detail Luna emphasized—whether the plan changes once the tournament begins.
Robert Luna ICE civil immigration enforcement FIFA World Cup Los Angeles County Sheriff SoFi Stadium Iran matches FBI drone enforcement temporary flight restrictions Patrick Grandy Nathan Hochman prosecutions June 11-July 19 Homeland Security L.A. region Iran United States negotiations
So ICE won’t be there but “federal agents” will… ok.
They’re really just saying “not at the games” like that solves anything. What about getting picked up on the way there? My cousin already got stopped for nothing.
I don’t buy it. “Subject to change” is the whole point. Last year was raids, this is just the PR version. Also why is the sheriff calling Homeland Security over rumors like he didn’t have better things to do.
World Cup security is gonna be intense anyway, so I’m sure something will happen somewhere. They always say they won’t do civil enforcement and then it’s “miscommunication” or “separate incidents.” Meanwhile they act like it’s only for sports but it’s really politics dressed up as soccer.