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A coalition of immigrant and civil rights teams issued a journey alert for worldwide vacationers touring to the United States, “particularly in Florida,” warning that their rights, liberty, and bodily safety might doubtlessly be at risk.
The coalition contains the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the American Friends Service Committee, the Family Action Network Movement, and Semillas de Colombia. The journey alert, which was issued on Wednesday, Feb. 4, suggested individuals to “reconsider travel to the state.”
The alert was issued in response to what the teams known as a number of circumstances of vacationers and U.S. residents being detained for immigration enforcement functions. The statewide journey alert is primarily centered on FIFA World Cup followers who’re contemplating coming to Florida for the matches this yr.
“Florida is no longer a safe destination for international tourists,” said Tessa Petit, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “When federal and local agents can detain anyone at anytime without cause and without identifying themselves, everyone is at risk.”
Petit added, “International visitors must ask themselves if a soccer match is worth the risk of being kidnapped and jailed until God-knows-when, in deplorable conditions, by a secret police who is using racial profiling, judging people for how they look or their accent, and getting away with literal murder in the streets of our country.”
International fans warned of travel alert to Florida ahead of FIFA matches
The immigrant and civil rights groups are concerned about international fans planning to travel to Florida for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in June.
Throngs of soccer fans from around the world are expected to descend on the United States for the various matches, including seven scheduled in South Florida.
The groups said “enforcement tactics threaten to place international fans and delegations at risk — especially people of color, visitors from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and dual-nationals who could be targeted or questioned without cause.”
The advisory urges travelers to:
- Exercise extreme caution
- Carry identification at all times
- Register their travel with their consulate before arrival
‘Florida is no longer safe’
Civil rights leaders gathered outside FIFA’s offices near Miami on Thursday, Feb. 5, warning international travelers that “Florida is no longer safe” and calling on the sports activities group to take motion in opposition to current immigration techniques earlier than the World Cup.
During the information convention, audio system stopped quick of calling for a boycott of FIFA however as an alternative inspired the group to take motion earlier than the June matches start.
The Florida video games will probably be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. They embody key group stage matches that includes Portugal vs. Colombia, Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, and Uruguay vs. Cape Verde in June.
The state will also host group stage clashes, such as Brazil vs. Scotland, plus a Round of 32 match, a quarterfinal game, and the third-place match in July.
‘Stay away from the USA’
Mark Pieth, a Swiss legal professional who chaired an oversight committee on FIFA reform, has urged fans to skip the World Cup.
“There’s just one piece of recommendation for followers,” he told the Swiss newspaper Der Bund. “Stay away from the USA! You’ll see it higher on TV anyway. And upon arrival, followers ought to anticipate that in the event that they don’t please officers, they’ll be put straight on the following flight house. If they’re fortunate.”
Sepp Blatter, the ex-FIFA president, wrote on social media, “I believe Mark Pieth is true to query this World Cup.”
Contributing: Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post; Rob Landers, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
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