On Thursday, Amnesty International, together with numerous U.S. civil and human rights organizations, released a “World Cup travel advisory.” This advisory warns potential visitors to the tournament about the “growing authoritarianism and escalating violence” in the United States under President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies.
The groups assert that this advisory is vital due to the worsening human rights conditions in the U.S. and the lack of substantial action and guarantees from FIFA, American host cities, or the federal government.
The advisory warns that visitors might face arbitrary denial of entry, might be detained in “inhumane” conditions, or subjected to intrusive searches of their phones and social media. It highlights the aggressive immigration crackdowns in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, which have led to accusations of racial profiling and harsh responses to protests.
This warning has drawn criticism from tourism officials, who argue that the organizations are jeopardizing the jobs of service industry workers to further their political agendas.
Geoff Freeman, the president & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, acknowledged that there are valid concerns regarding U.S. entry policies but believes they are being exaggerated. He noted that last year, there were 67 million international visitors to the United States.
“The idea that traveling to America poses a significant safety threat is not a genuine warning; it’s a political maneuver aimed at inflicting economic damage,” Freeman said in a statement.
A FIFA spokesperson highlighted the federation’s commitment to human rights as outlined in their governing documents, stating, “FIFA is dedicated to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and will strive to promote their protection.”
Since Trump’s return to the White House last year, international travel to the U.S. has declined, particularly after comments he made regarding Canada possibly becoming a U.S. state, controlling Greenland, and questioning NATO’s worth.
The tourism sector is hoping for a significant influx of visitors during the World Cup despite Trump’s travel ban affecting citizens from 19 countries, which has introduced additional uncertainty.
The expectation for an economic boost during the World Cup is set against a backdrop of soaring ticket prices and reports from hotel operators indicating that occupancy rates have not surged for the tournament months.
The administration is relying on faster visa processing for visitors and the excitement surrounding the tournament to outweigh concerns that Trump’s immigration rhetoric undermines the spirit of global unity that the World Cup embodies.
The tournament is scheduled to commence on June 11, featuring matches across North America, including 11 U.S. stadiums, two in Canada, and three in Mexico.
Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.