Vancouver City Councillors Propose Banning ICE Agents from FIFA World Cup Security
Vancouver city councillors Pete Fry and Sean Orr have introduced a motion to prohibit officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from participating in security operations during the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Vancouver this summer. The motion, scheduled for a council vote on February 25, 2026, seeks to bar any ICE officials from FIFA-related security assignments in the city.
Human Rights Concerns Drive Proposed Ban
Councillor Pete Fry, who identifies as having Trinidadian heritage, expressed strong opposition to ICE's presence, citing what he describes as "extrajudicial execution of American citizens" and deaths of migrants under ICE supervision. Fry characterized ICE officers as an undertrained "goon squad" and emphasized that their involvement could jeopardize the success of an event in which Vancouver and British Columbia have made significant investments.
"I think it does pose a very serious risk to the success of an event that the City of Vancouver and the province of British Columbia have invested quite significantly in," Fry stated. "Let's not blow it and have to spend a ton of money on security, just because there's some kind of ICE bravado operating in our city."
Potential for Protests and Boycotts
The councillors' concerns are amplified by recent international precedents. During the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, large-scale protests erupted over the deployment of ICE agents to assist with security. Fry warned that similar demonstrations or boycotts could occur in Vancouver, potentially disrupting the World Cup.
"The idea that this potentially could lead to protest or boycotts of an event that is so important to us, and that we've invested so much in, should be cause for us to reach out to the federal government," Fry explained, urging proactive measures to prevent U.S. requests for ICE deployment during the tournament.
Current ICE Presence in Vancouver
Despite the proposed ban, ICE already maintains agents in Vancouver as part of its investigations branch stationed at U.S. consulates across Canada, including locations in:
- Vancouver
- Calgary
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Ottawa (U.S. Embassy)
These agents primarily collaborate with Canadian law enforcement agencies to combat international crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, financial fraud, and weapons dealing. Notably, ICE agents in Canada do not carry firearms and do not participate in arrest operations, focusing instead on intelligence sharing and investigative support.
Political and Practical Implications
The motion represents a significant political stance on international security cooperation and human rights. As a Green party councillor, Fry framed the issue as "a very clear line in the sand, as far as justice and human rights." The proposal comes despite no public indications that ICE seeks to increase its presence in Vancouver specifically for the World Cup.
The council's decision on February 25 will determine whether Vancouver takes a formal position against ICE involvement in one of the world's largest sporting events, potentially setting a precedent for how Canadian cities approach international security partnerships during major international gatherings.
