Los Angeles World Cup stadium workers threaten strike over ICE deployment

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionSportVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomyHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftTrendingUS-Israel war on IranEbolaTracking Israel's ceasefire violationsRussia-Ukraine warDonald Trumpcaret-rightSport|World Cup 2026Los Angeles World Cup stadium workers threaten strike over ICE deploymentWorkers represented by a local union say ICE presence would create a climate of fear during the FIFA World Cup 2026. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoStadium workers picket outside the FIFA Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee headquarters in the US, on May 1, 2026 [Jae C Hong/AP Photo]By AFPPublished On 19 May 202619 May 2026Workers at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles have decided to go on strike if federal immigration enforcement agents are deployed at the venue when it hosts FIFA World Cup matches in June and July. The UNITE HERE Local 11 – a labour union representing some 2,000 hospitality employees – on Monday demanded federal guarantees that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would not be used during the matches scheduled at the stadium. The venue, which will be known as the Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament, will host eight World Cup games, including the opening fixture for the United States on June 12. Workers at the world’s most expensive sports arena say the ICE presence would create a climate of fear for themselves and for fans. “ICE should have no role in these games,” said Isaac Martinez, a stadium cook, at a protest outside the venue. “We do not want to live in fear coming to work, or fear being detained going home.” “If we do not reach an agreement, my colleagues and I are ready to strike,” Martinez added, speaking on behalf of a workforce composed largely of food and beverage concession staff. ICE has led the charge in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Human rights groups have condemned the agency for its conduct during raids in several US cities, including Los Angeles last year. In early 2026, ICE agents fatally shot two American protesters in Minneapolis. Workers on Monday also raised alarms over FIFA’s accreditation process, which requires employees to submit personal data before the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the US, Canada and Mexico. “We ask FIFA not to share our information with ICE agencies, foreign countries, or intelligence services,” worker Yolanda Fierro said. Protesters carrying plastic balls and signs reading “Kick ICE Out of the World Cup” drew support from Tom Steyer, a Democratic candidate in California’s gubernatorial race. ICE’s mandate is border control, the financier-turned-politician said. “Can anyone explain what that has to do with the World Cup? Nothing,” Steyer said. “How is it possible that this is the agency that is going to be here when we know in fact they’re an absolute threat, a lawless threat, to workers in California?” Advertisement AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: