Trump’s anti-immigrant policies clash with promised World Cup ‘unity’

Washington, DC – A White House committee organizing the 2026 World Cup in the United States calls the event a “global moment of unity.”

The executive director of the White House Task Force on the World Cup, Andrew Giuliani, told reporters on Wednesday, “We want to make sure that we’re as welcoming as possible.”

However, Donald Trump’s increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies are raising questions about Washington’s commitment to hosting a friendly tournament.

Giuliani praised the US Department of State’s efforts to shorten the time it takes to get interviews for visitor visas, which will allow fans from all over the world to visit the US during the World Cup, which Mexico and Canada will host together.

Giuliani also confirmed that fans from 19 nations that are subject to a US travel ban won’t be granted special World Cup exemptions. Additionally, he did not rule out removing undocumented immigrants from neighborhoods where matches are held.

Amnesty International USA’s Americas advocacy director, Daniel Norona, criticizes the US administration’s strategy.

If you’re pushing down on anyone who disagrees with you, repressing them, and promoting discrimination, you can’t have unity, Norona said to Al Jazeera.

If they are acting in a way that is contrary to what unity means, then I don’t believe we can refer to this as a moment of unity.

travel interdiction

Haiti and Iran, both of which are subject to the travel ban, are participating in the tournament.

Giuliani repeatedly reiterated that fans and direct support personnel from banned countries will be given visas, but that they may not, as he repeatedly said. Every single person who is present, he said, “is a national security issue.”

However, some Iranian delegation members have already been denied visas by the US for Friday’s World Cup group stage draw.

Giuliani also defended the travel ban for Haitian fans, noting that Sebastien Migne, the national team’s coach, has never traveled to the Caribbean nation, which has experienced gang violence, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters.

Haitians outside Haiti are also subject to Trump’s ban. As the Trump administration continues to rescind immigration protections for Haitians living in the US, Norona also made a point about how the crackdown might affect them.

Norona argued that Trump’s policies are “the antithesis” of the World Cup, which celebrates openness and welcoming people from all over the world.

For the fans, players, and everyone involved in the World Cup, “we are concerned that this will create a non-welcoming and overall hostile environment,” Norona told Al Jazeera.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids aimed at World Cup venues were not approved by Giuliani.

About 14 million people who have never been granted permanent residency in the US have established new lives and families, many of whom are Latinos who love football.

Giuliani, the son of Trump’s former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, said, “I’ve known the president for 25 years.” The president doesn’t rule out anything that would improve the safety of Americans.

Norona claimed that no one is safe during immigration raids.

They only serve to spooky effect the rest of the football fans and the rest of the community who want to watch their games, he claimed.

Trump has a “unique style”

Trump’s crackdown has affected more than just undocumented immigrants.

Over the objections to Israel, the administration has pushed to deport people who are legal residents of the country, including visitors, foreign students, and permanent residents.

Sami Hamdi, a British journalist who fought for Palestinian human rights, was detained by ICE agents in October and held for two weeks before being taken out of the country for his advocacy for Palestinian human rights.

The undocumented population in the US is among the chilling effects, according to the author. Anyone who might disagree or be offended by the current administration has a chilling effect, said Norona.

Giuliani, for his part, argued that Trump does not want foreigners to enter the country because it is a “fictional narrative.”

He stated that “he wants to make sure that people can enter the United States legally.” He added to reporters that we can also ensure that the games and other experiences are secure.

Trump, however, had launched an anti-immigrant tirade on Tuesday, calling US Somali residents “garbage.”

Giuliani was questioned by Al Jazeera about Trump’s rhetoric and how it might conflict with the unity message US officials are putting forth during the World Cup.

The president “has a distinctive style.” In my opinion, Giuliani is a very effective leader, and I believe that is the justification for why he is the ideal host for this incredible World Cup, which will be the largest in human history,” Giuliani said.

He continued to make the case that Trump’s bigoted approach was honest.

He is unique in that regard in terms of the president’s rhetoric. Like me, he is a New Yorker. Giuliani remarked that there are times when we use words that are a little off-kilter than words for polished politicians.

“But I believe that’s also the reason why he’s been able to really touch the hearts of so many Americans because he is completely honest with them.”

However, Norona claimed that Trump’s statements send a “racist” and “discriminatory message.

He continued, “I don’t believe it’s style; it’s a deliberate choice of words.” It should be reprobable for everyone, the author writes.

FIFA Pace Prize

Trump has shown a lot of interest in football in general and the World Cup. He regularly hosts Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, at the White House and he recently watched the Club World Cup final in New Jersey in July.

During his visit to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he welcomed Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo to a state dinner in Washington, DC, last month.

The US president will also be present for the first FIFA Peace Prize presentation at Friday’s draw.

There have been calls for FIFA to require immigration protection at games. Additionally, the organization’s close ties to Trump have drawn criticism.

FIFA’s anti-racism messages were not promoted during the World Cup, which appeared to be in line with Trump’s opposition to diversity and inclusion initiatives.

By the time of publication, FIFA had not responded to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.

According to Minky Worden, the director of sport for Human Rights Watch, “FIFA’s so-called peace prize is being awarded in the wake of violent detentions of immigrants, national guard deployments in US cities, and the obsequious cancellation of FIFA’s own antiracism and anti-discrimination campaigns.”

Source: Aljazeera