Sheriff Robert Luna says federal officials assured local authorities that civil immigration enforcement will not take place at World Cup matches or fan events in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says federal officials have assured local authorities that civil immigration enforcement will not take place at FIFA World Cup matches or related fan events in Los Angeles.
The announcement addresses concerns among immigrant communities, mixed-status families, and international visitors who plan to attend games and celebrations during the 2026 World Cup. Los Angeles is expected to host some of the tournament’s largest crowds, making public safety and community trust major issues for local officials.
According to Luna, federal agencies involved in World Cup security told the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department that while federal personnel will be present to help protect venues, fan zones, and surrounding areas, civil immigration raids and arrests are not part of the security mission.
Luna outlined several key points intended to reassure the public:
- Federal officials told local authorities that civil immigration enforcement will not occur at World Cup matches or fan events in Los Angeles.
- Federal agents will still be present as part of security operations.
- The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department does not participate in civil immigration enforcement.
- Deputies do not ask people about their immigration status during routine interactions or when responding to calls for service.
- Authorities are encouraging residents and visitors to report crimes, emergencies, or safety concerns without fear of immigration consequences.
The sheriff emphasized that public safety remains the department’s primary responsibility.
For many angelino families, concerns about immigration enforcement can influence decisions about attending large public events, seeking emergency assistance, or interacting with law enforcement.
Local officials have spent years promoting policies designed to encourage crime reporting and cooperation with public safety agencies regardless of immigration status. Community advocates have often argued that fear of immigration consequences can discourage people from contacting authorities when they need help.
The World Cup is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Southern California, making trust between law enforcement and the public especially important.
How World Cup Security Will Work
Security at World Cup venues will involve multiple agencies, including local, state, and federal partners. Federal personnel may assist with counterterrorism efforts, venue protection, intelligence coordination, and other public safety functions.
Luna’s comments draw a distinction between those security responsibilities and civil immigration enforcement activities.
That distinction could help reduce uncertainty among attendees who may be concerned about whether federal personnel at World Cup venues are conducting immigration-related operations.
As the tournament approaches, federal, state, and local agencies are expected to release additional details about transportation, security procedures, crowd management, and fan-event operations.
For now, Luna says the message from federal officials is clear: security personnel will be focused on keeping attendees safe, not conducting civil immigration enforcement at World Cup matches or fan events in Los Angeles.
For California families planning to attend, the announcement provides one of the clearest public assurances to date about how immigration concerns will be handled during one of the world’s largest sporting events.
