With the FIFA Men’s World Cup kicking off later this week, immigration rights groups in Chicago are demanding the Trump administration end what they describe as “discriminatory restrictions” that are preventing soccer teams and fans from fully participating in events. “The World Cup should be a moment that brings people together across borders, cultures and continents,” Fasika Alem, programs director at United African Organization, said during a Tuesday news conference. “If the United States is going to host the world, it must welcome the world.”
The FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off Thursday and runs through July 19. Matches are being held at stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The news conference came after a photographer traveling with the Iraq national soccer team was denied entry to the U.S. at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Friday following additional screening from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Iraqi player Aymen Hussein, according to Reuters, also faced additional screening and was later admitted to the U.S. The photographer was denied entry due to “classified information in accordance with U.S. law,” according to a CBP statement. “All travelers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting,” the statement continued. “Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection.” Advocates also highlighted Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry to the U.S., the Iranian national team experiencing U.S. visa denials of support staff, the South Africa national team facing U.S. visa delays and more. “These restrictions are not merely administrative hurdles,” Alem said. “They are a reflection of discriminatory immigration policies that disproportionately target people based on nationality, race and country of origin.”
More context: Chicago will not host any World Cup games. The city, led by then Mayor Rahm Emanuel, declined in 2018 to pursue a bid to host World Cup matches at Soldier Field due to disagreements and financial concerns with FIFA’s hosting agreement.
The news conference Tuesday was led by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and its coalition members Arab American Action Network and United African Organization.
