Mullin clarifies ICE will focus on security at World Cup: ‘Not there to go round up individuals’

WASHINGTON, DC: Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin has clarified that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers will not be present at this summer's FIFA World Cup to conduct mass sweeps, stating, "We're not there to go round up mass individuals."

While ICE personnel will be present at the venues, their primary role will focus on security and targeting serious criminal threats rather than searching for undocumented immigrants.

Markwayne Mullin on ICE's role at World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to bring millions of international visitors to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

To keep everyone safe, federal agencies are working closely with local law enforcement to secure stadiums, transit systems, and fan zones.

Mullin explained that the government is not using the massive sports tournament as a trap for unauthorized immigrants. Instead, federal agents are focusing their energy on stopping high-level threats.

"But we are always looking for the worst of the worst. We're going to continue to do that," he told CBS News regarding the agency's targeted security priorities.

It may be noted that ICE regularly helps secure major American sporting events, including the Super Bowl, where agents typically look for fake merchandise, ticket fraud, and dangerous fugitives.

Mullin made it clear that the tournament will be treated similarly, and standard immigration sweeps are not on the agenda.

"When they're at these sporting events, we're not out there doing immigration enforcement," Mullin told CBS News. "But we are looking for maybe people that shouldn't be in this country because they're on te**orist watchlists." 

Markwayne Mullin on DHS funding lapse

The Trump administration has consistently focused on border security, prioritizing the deportation of gang members and violent offenders.

Mullin defended the agency against heavy criticism from Democrats and immigration activists who argue that the presence of federal agents will terrify lawful tourists.

"Well, ICE always says immigration enforcement. We're always going to do that. But we're not there for solely that purpose. We're in there to do our job," Mullin told CBS News.

Planning for the tournament has been difficult because the recent government shutdown cut off Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, forcing the department to manage World Cup security alongside hurricane season preparations.

Mullin warned that the budget lapse hurt operations, stating that "at some point you have to quit being proactive."

Despite these challenges and warnings from activist groups, DHS guarantees that legal travelers will be perfectly safe at the World Cup.

As reported by The Hill, the official DHS mission is to "ensure every fan — Americans and visitors alike — has a safe and unforgettable experience."