A coalition of civil rights and human rights organizations has issued a statewide Florida travel alert ahead of upcoming FIFA matches, warning that international visitors, tourists, and even U.S. citizens face heightened risks of racial profiling, detention, and immigration enforcement despite official reassurances.
As Florida prepares to welcome the world for the upcoming FIFA matches, a chilling warning is being issued—not from foreign governments, but from civil rights and human rights organizations inside the state itself.
A broad coalition of advocacy groups has issued a statewide travel alert in Florida, urging international visitors, tourists, and U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution while traveling in the state. Their message is stark: Attendance at global sporting events may come with serious risks to civil and human rights—especially for people of color and anyone perceived as an immigrant.
The alert comes amid public assurances from Donald Trump, who recently stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would not be deployed at or near FIFA matches. But advocates say those promises offer little protection in a state where immigration enforcement increasingly occurs without ICE ever showing up.
“Not Even U.S. Citizens With an Accent Are Safe”
According to the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), immigration arrests in Florida are routinely carried out by state and local law enforcement agencies operating under federal 287(g) agreements. These arrangements deputize officers—including the Florida Highway Patrol—to act as immigration agents during everyday policing.
The result, advocates say, is an environment where traffic stops become deportation pipelines and routine encounters can spiral into prolonged detention.
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“No one is truly safe—not even U.S. citizens with an accent,” warned FLIC spokesperson Adriana Rivera.
A Pattern of Detentions—and a Climate of Fear
The travel alert points to a growing body of documented cases in Florida and across the country:
- U.S.-born citizens jailed in ICE holds despite presenting proof of citizenship
- International tourists are detained for weeks or months, often with limited access to lawyers or consular officials
- A Mexican tourist with a valid visa was detained during a traffic stop in Orlando and transferred to a remote detention facility known by advocates as “Alligator Alcatraz,” before being deported in shackles
- Lucas Sielaff, a 25-year-old German national, who reported being handcuffed and jailed for more than two weeks by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after officers alleged—without evidence—that he intended to live in the U.S.
Civil rights groups also referenced fatal encounters involving ICE agents and U.S. citizens, underscoring what they describe as a dangerous lack of accountability.
FIFA Spotlight, Higher Stakes
With FIFA matches set to draw massive international crowds, advocates warn that the risks are amplified. Fans and delegations from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, as well as dual nationals, may face heightened scrutiny solely on the basis of appearance, language, or accent.
“Florida is no longer a safe destination for international tourists,” said Tessa Petit, Executive Director of FLIC. “When officers can detain anyone at any time without cause or identification, everyone is at risk.”
The Advisory’s Warning
The coalition urges travelers to:
- Exercise extreme caution while in Florida
- Carry valid identification at all times
- Register travel plans with their home country’s consulate
- Seriously reconsider travel until transparency and oversight are restored
The alert concludes with a grim assessment: these are not isolated incidents, but signs of a systemic erosion of civil liberties unfolding in plain sight—just as the United States of America prepares to host the world’s biggest game.
As the first whistle approaches, advocates say the question facing international fans is no longer about soccer—it’s about safety, freedom, and the risk of not making it home.
Anyone seeking more information about their constitutional rights should call the Florida Immigrant Hotline at 1-888-600-5762 for information in Spanish, English, and Kreyol.
