Reports that ICE agents will take part in Olympic security raised worries for two Vancouver councillors about possible issues if the U.S. team plays a FIFA match in the city. CTV
Two Vancouver city councillors have called on senior levels of government to keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers away from local FIFA World Cup events scheduled for later this year.
Green Party councillor Pete Fry and COPE councillor Sean Orr plan to introduce a motion urging the federal government to block ICE agents from taking part in any security role if the U.S. men’s soccer team plays matches on Canadian soil this summer.
Motion Aims to Prevent Unrest
Fry said the proposal reflects growing concern among Vancouver residents about the presence of ICE officers at high-profile international events. He pointed to recent confirmation that ICE agents will take part in security for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
“ICE and some of their operations in the United States have caused a lot of political friction, let’s say, and a lot of anxiety—and we’ve seen it manifest as protests and boycotts,” Fry said.
He added that the city should act early to avoid similar issues during the World Cup.
“The idea here is to get ahead of that potential and ask the federal government to make it pretty clear that ICE would not be welcome to come to Vancouver to perform security in any capacity,” Fry said.
Security Role Raises Questions
According to a statement posted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE officers attend international events to “vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations.”
Fry acknowledged that ICE already has staff working in Vancouver through the U.S. consulate. However, he said a visible role during World Cup matches would likely spark public backlash.
“We don’t want it disrupting the success of an event that we, collectively, have invested a lot of money in,” he said.
Past Protests Shape Current Concerns
Opposition to ICE activity has surfaced in Vancouver before. Fry referenced recent protests aimed at organizations linked to the agency, including a demonstration outside a downtown office building after a company agreed to provide services to ICE.
Public concern has grown further following the recent shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, incidents that have placed ICE operations under renewed scrutiny.
Organizers Say No ICE Plans Exist
Event organizers and local police said they have not received any information suggesting ICE plans to attend World Cup events in Vancouver.
In a statement, the city’s World Cup host committee said it has “not had any dealings” with ICE in connection with the tournament. The Vancouver Police Department also said it has not heard of any foreign law enforcement agencies being assigned to the event.
Still, Fry said recent experience shows how quickly plans can change.
“The news about ICE in Italy came just days before the Olympics began,” he said. “I think it’s prudent to get ahead of this.”
Call for Federal Clarity
The motion seeks a clear commitment from federal officials to ensure local authorities manage security during World Cup matches without ICE involvement. Fry and Orr say early clarity would help protect the event’s atmosphere and avoid protests that could distract from the games.
City council is expected to review the motion later this month.
