February 26 – Vancouver’s mayor Ken Sim and police chief Steve Rai have offered assurances that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not be deployed in the city during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after pressure from city councillors.
Two Vancouver city councillors wanted the federal government to reject any ICE deployments in the city during this summer’s tournament and launched a motion to force the city’s mayor Ken Sim to write to Ottawa. However, their motion failed to pass at a council meeting on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Sim had issued a statement condemning U.S. ICE agents from being deployed, or even being invited, to the city during the World Cup.
The statement read: “To be clear: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not been invited to operate in Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup, nor are they welcome to conduct enforcement activities here.”
In a letter to the city council, Vancouver police chief Steve Rai backed up those words: “Let me be unequivocally clear: ICE is not being deployed, nor have they been invited or approved, to participate in security oversight for FIFA 2026 Vancouver.”
“No such request from ICE has been made, and no such permission has been granted. Further, U.S. law enforcement agencies have no police powers or any jurisdiction to enforce law in Canada.”
He explained that under the current framework for FIFA and British Columbia Police Act external policing agencies may only operate within the City of Vancouver with the express permission of the Vancouver police board.
“Security planning for this international event is being conducted collaboratively by the VPD and other Canadian law enforcement agencies in accordance with Canadian law and established governance structures.”
“Suggestions that ICE will be involved in Vancouver’s FIFA operations are inaccurate and, quite frankly, amount to fear-mongering. Our priority remains delivering a safe, welcoming and well-coordinated event for residents and visitors alike – grounded in transparency, legality and public trust.”
The motion had pointed to the deployment of ICE agents at the recent Winter Games in Milano Cortina and that any deployment in Vancouver could lead to protests and boycotts. Vancouver will host seven World Cup matches.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, [email protected]