As international soccer matches brought the FIFA Club World Cup to Miami-Dade, another form of global attention focused on Coral Gables. Immigrant rights advocates gathered outside FIFA’s Legal and Compliance Division offices at 396 Alhambra Circle on June 30 to protest what they described as excessive immigration enforcement at tournament venues.

Organized by groups including the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the rally featured speakers calling on FIFA, the Miami Host Committee and elected officials to reject Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at public-facing events.

“This is the moment for FIFA to stand up and protect its fans,” said Yareliz Méndez-Zamora, policy coordinator for the AFSC. “We are at the heart of your game. Keep us safe and don’t let ICE come into our stadiums. It will be chaos.”

Security presence sparks concern among immigrant communities

The demonstration followed weeks of growing anxiety among South Florida residents and visitors after social media posts and public statements revealed that federal immigration agencies would take part in tournament security.

CBP posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that it was “suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games,” a message it later deleted. ICE has also publicly confirmed its presence at World Cup-related events. In one case, CBP agents boarded a yacht party celebrating the tournament—a gathering that included Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and members of the press.

Activists said these actions have contributed to fear and confusion, particularly among immigrant residents and international fans attending games.

Filmmaker and activists demand clarity and restraint

Among those speaking at the rally was filmmaker Billy Corben, director of Cocaine Cowboys and The U, who criticized the county’s budget priorities and its approach to fan safety.

“Friends of mine have called me up to say they were scared,” Corben said, referring to fears of surveillance and enforcement. “At an international tournament, safety and security—and protecting your fans—is also about dignity and respect.”

Corben pointed to Miami-Dade County’s $46 million financial commitment to hosting the Club World Cup and next year’s FIFA World Cup, despite a $400 million countywide budget shortfall. He argued that public investment demands accountability, including clear protections for attendees.

“They are coming to see the World Cup, not Alligator Alcatraz,” he said, referencing the nickname protesters gave to the ICE detention center slated to open this week in the Everglades.

Advocates draw parallels to California and urge restraint

Speakers drew comparisons to an incident earlier this year in California, where ICE agents reportedly attended a Los Angeles Dodgers game but were ordered to leave following intervention by team and local officials.

“We don’t want to boycott the games or have them moved from Miami,” said Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “We just want fans to be safe and welcomed. We don’t want another global embarrassment.”

Kennedy said low attendance at early tournament matches may reflect broader apprehension among immigrant families and visitors.

“There is a reason these games are being sparsely attended,” he said. “People are afraid of being targeted.”

Organizers called on FIFA and Miami-Dade leaders to publicly state that immigration enforcement officers will not question attendees, seize devices, or conduct searches unrelated to public safety threats.

Protesters spotlight FIFA’s Coral Gables presence

The demonstration took place outside FIFA’s Coral Gables offices, which house its Legal and Compliance Division and serve as a command hub for both the current Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to bring matches to Hard Rock Stadium.

The location—just one block from the Miami Host Committee offices on the same Alhambra corridor—was selected deliberately, organizers said, to emphasize the need for transparency and accountability not only from FIFA, but from local partners.

“We’re asking FIFA and the County Mayor to follow California’s lead,” Méndez-Zamora said. “This is a world-class tournament, and it needs to reflect world-class values of safety, hospitality, and fairness.”