LOS ANGELES.- 24 days after the start of World Cup 2026workers of the SoFi Stadiumin Los Angelesmaintain their strike threat in case the immigration agency ICE operate in the parties, a claim supported this Monday by a prominent candidate for governor of California.
Unite Here Local 11a hospitality sector union that represents some 2,000 employees of the venue, has been demanding guarantees that the federal government will not deploy ICE agents at the eight games that SoFi Stadium will host.
The workers at the sports venue, the most expensive in the world, warn that the presence of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will create a climate of insecurity for both them and the fans.
“ICE should not have any role in these games. As workers we do not want to live in fear when entering work or with the fear of being detained when returning home,” he said. Isaac Martinezstadium cook, during a protest in front of the field.
“If we do not reach an agreement, my colleagues and I are ready to go on strike,” Martínez reaffirmed on behalf of a group that mainly includes employees of food and beverage concessions.
ICE has been the spearhead of the US president’s anti-immigration offensive, donald trumpand has received enormous criticism from human rights organizations for the brutal raids in different cities, including Los Angeles.
Among the incidents carried out by ICE, accused of acting against people with a Hispanic accent, even if they are in a regular situation, are the shooting deaths of two American protesters in Minneapolis at the beginning of 2026.
Worry
Employees also expressed concern about having to hand over personal information to the FIFA to be accredited to work in the contest, which is held in USA, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
“We ask FIFA not to share our information or data with any ICE agencies, foreign countries or intelligence agencies,” he said. Yolanda Fierrosuite services assistant.
The protesters, who carried plastic balls and posters with the message “Expel ICE from the World Cup”, added this Monday the support of Tom Steyerone of the best positioned candidates for the California gubernatorial elections.
ICE’s job is “border control (…) Can someone explain to me what that has to do with the World Cup? Nothing,” said this financier whose campaign proposal is that millionaires like him pay more taxes.
“How is it possible that this is the agency that is going to be here when we know that they are an absolute threat to workers in California?” claimed the Democratic candidate.
