Swalwell Introduces Bills to Prevent Immigration Enforcement at World Cup

Congressman cites his college soccer career in effort to protect visiting fans from deportation sweeps

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:04pm

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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has introduced a package of bills aimed at preventing immigration enforcement activities near World Cup venues and events this June. Swalwell, a former Division I soccer player, says the bills will ensure "our priority should be to showcase our best—not have police commandeering buses, trains, and public spaces." The legislation would ban federal DHS funding from being used for civil immigration enforcement on public transit or at terminals during the World Cup dates.

Why it matters

More than a dozen American cities will be hosting World Cup matches, raising concerns about potential immigration enforcement sweeps that could instill fear in visiting fans from around the world. Swalwell and other Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee want to prevent what they call racial and linguistic profiling that could disrupt the global event.

The details

Swalwell's "Safe Passage to the World Cup Act" would ban federal DHS funding from being used for civil immigration enforcement activities on public transit or at terminals from June 11 to July 19 in any city hosting a FIFA match or festival. The bill does provide an exception for "hot pursuit" of suspects presenting an "imminent risk to public safety." A companion bill, the "Save the World Cup Act" introduced by Rep. Nellie Pou, D-N.J., would ban immigration enforcement near matches or festivals themselves and enforce measures to ensure parking lots and fan midways are not encroached upon by ICE sweeps.

  • The World Cup matches will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The players

Rep. Eric Swalwell

A Democratic congressman from California who played Division I soccer in college and is now introducing legislation to prevent immigration enforcement activities at World Cup venues.

Rep. Nellie Pou

A Democratic congresswoman from New Jersey who represents the area around the New York Giants' stadium, where World Cup matches will be held, and has introduced a companion bill to Swalwell's legislation.

Rep. LaMonica McIver

A Democratic congresswoman from New Jersey who is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee's Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events and has introduced a bill to prohibit state grant programs from being used for civil immigration enforcement near World Cup game sites.

Todd Lyons

The director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who declined to assure Rep. Pou that the agency would not conduct enforcement sweeps near World Cup events.

Judge Jamel Semper

A Biden-appointed federal judge who allowed two of three counts to proceed against Rep. McIver in an alleged assault case, as she appeals the charges.

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What they’re saying

“How can our country host the World Cup while deporting visiting fans from around the world?”

— Rep. Eric Swalwell

“Our priority should be to showcase our best—not have police commandeering buses, trains, and public spaces.”

— Rep. Eric Swalwell

“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.”

— Rep. Nellie Pou

“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.”

— Rep. LaMonica McIver

What’s next

The judge in Rep. McIver's assault case will decide on whether to allow the charges to proceed as she appeals the decision.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the tension between hosting a global sporting event and concerns about potential immigration enforcement sweeps that could disrupt the World Cup and intimidate visiting fans. The bills aim to ensure the focus remains on showcasing American hospitality and the spirit of the game, rather than political agendas.