Published on February 7, 2026
As Florida prepares to welcome thousands of FIFA fans for the upcoming global matches, civil rights and human rights organizations within the state are issuing urgent warnings. These groups are highlighting the growing risks of detention for both international visitors and U.S. citizens, particularly those who may be perceived as immigrants or people of color. Despite official assurances that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not be deployed near FIFA venues, advocates stress that immigration enforcement is increasingly carried out by state and local law enforcement under federal 287(g) agreements, turning routine interactions like traffic stops into potential deportation risks.
The coalition of advocacy groups has declared a statewide travel alert, urging those planning to attend global sporting events in Florida to exercise extreme caution. While government officials assure the public that ICE will not be involved, these promises fail to reassure advocates, who argue that immigration enforcement is being handled by state and local officers, not just ICE. With growing concerns over racial profiling and arbitrary detentions, the groups warn that the risks to personal safety and civil liberties are too significant, especially for those from minority backgrounds or foreign nations.
Concerns Over State and Local Enforcement
The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) points out that state and local law enforcement often work under federal 287(g) agreements, allowing officers, including those in the Florida Highway Patrol, to act as immigration agents. This arrangement, according to advocates, creates a dangerous dynamic in which everyday interactions, like traffic stops, can become an opportunity for immigration enforcement, and lead to prolonged detentions and deportations.

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Advocates argue that U.S. citizens, particularly those with accents or from minority backgrounds, are also at risk of being wrongly detained. The coalition cites instances where U.S. citizens were placed in ICE detention despite presenting evidence of their citizenship, and international tourists were detained without due process, often facing long delays before being able to contact legal representation or consular officials.
A Pattern of Detention and Fear

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The travel alert highlights several disturbing cases from Florida and beyond. One case involved a Mexican tourist with a valid visa who was detained during a routine traffic stop in Orlando. He was transferred to a remote detention facility, colloquially known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” before being deported in shackles. Another case involved a German national who was handcuffed and jailed for over two weeks by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents after they made unsubstantiated claims that he intended to stay in the U.S. without proper authorization.
Civil rights groups have also raised alarms over fatal encounters between U.S. citizens and ICE agents, emphasizing what they describe as a culture of impunity and a lack of accountability that has allowed such incidents to happen with little to no oversight.

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Risks for FIFA Attendees
With the arrival of international visitors for the FIFA matches, advocates warn that the risks for certain individuals will be even higher. Fans, particularly those from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, as well as dual nationals, may face increased scrutiny and possible detention based solely on their appearance, language, or accent.
The coalition’s message is clear: Florida is not a safe destination for international tourists, especially those who may be targeted for their ethnic or national background. They argue that anyone could become a victim of the state’s increasingly aggressive enforcement policies.
What the Advisory Urges
The travel alert issued by the advocacy groups urges travelers to take several precautions if they plan to visit Florida. It recommends that visitors exercise extreme caution, carry valid identification at all times, and register their travel plans with their home country’s consulate. The coalition also suggests that travelers carefully reconsider their plans to visit the state until there is more transparency and oversight in local law enforcement.
The coalition’s warning concludes with a serious assessment: these issues are not isolated, but rather part of a systemic erosion of civil liberties unfolding in Florida. As the world prepares for the spectacle of the FIFA matches, the organizations behind the alert argue that the real question for international fans is not about soccer, but about their personal safety and the risk of not returning home.
As Florida prepares for the FIFA matches, civil rights groups have issued an urgent travel warning, highlighting the growing risks of detention for both tourists and U.S. citizens, particularly those perceived as immigrants, due to increasing state and local immigration enforcement.
In conclusion, as Florida gears up for the FIFA matches, the increasing risks of detention and civil rights violations have prompted urgent warnings from advocacy groups. Despite official assurances, the reality of local and state law enforcement involvement in immigration actions raises significant concerns for both international visitors and U.S. citizens, particularly those who may be unjustly targeted based on their appearance or background. Until greater transparency and oversight are implemented, the warning remains clear: attending the global sporting event in Florida may come with unexpected dangers, and travelers are urged to carefully consider the risks to their safety and freedom.

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Tags: civil rights risks, FIFA 2026, Florida travel warning, immigration enforcement, Travel News

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