A Florida-based immigrant rights coalition is urging international visitors and immigrants to plan carefully before traveling to Florida for the FIFA World Cup this year, warning that travelers could face heightened scrutiny tied to immigration enforcement and local policing. The Florida Immigrant Coalition, in a travel advisory posted online, said Florida “is no longer a safe destination for international tourists” and alleged risks that include racial profiling, wrongful detention, and deportation regardless of legal travel status.
The coalition’s warning comes as Florida prepares to host World Cup activity anchored in South Florida, where FIFA says Miami will host multiple matches. The advisory frames the concern as practical for travelers, pointing to places where visitors often interact with authorities, such as airports, roads, hotels, and major event areas. Florida tourism officials, reported by Reuters, rejected the alert and said lawful visitors have no reason to worry.
What The Travel Advisory Says And Why It Matters For World Cup Visitors
In its published advisory, the Florida Immigrant Coalition states that travelers should expect an environment characterized by close coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The group claims Florida accounts for more than four-fifths of ICE and police collaboration agreements nationwide, and argues that this increases the chance that routine encounters can escalate into immigration-related questioning or detention.
Reuters reported that the coalition cited accounts from journalists and civil rights groups describing U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and tourists detained after routine law enforcement encounters, including traffic stops, though Reuters also noted it could not independently verify specific incidents cited by the coalition. The coalition’s advisory highlights risk factors beyond immigration status. It says people of color, travelers who speak English with a non-American accent, dual-nationality visitors, and travelers using international driving documents may face higher odds of scrutiny.
It also warns that appearance, language, or accent can shape how an encounter begins, particularly in crowded, fast-moving settings tied to major events. The advisory also cites “documented cases” of legal tourists with valid visas who were detained upon arrival at airports and other lawful points of entry. In its post, the coalition links to external reporting on individual cases as examples and argues that visitors can face delays or detention with limited access to counsel or consular assistance.
Where World Cup Travel Could Get Complicated
The Florida Immigrant Coalition’s advisory lists several travel pinch points where visitors commonly interact with officials or private security personnel. It flags airports and arrival screening as key concerns and warns about routine traffic stops, interactions with hotel staff, and heavily visited tourist areas. The coalition also argues that large-scale matchdays create conditions in which enforcement activity can affect many people at once, as visitors cluster in stadium corridors, transit hubs, hotels, and fan gathering areas.
That matters for World Cup trips as travel days often combine multiple exposure points in a short period, such as airport arrival, rideshares or rental cars, hotel check-in, and movement to and from stadium zones. The advisory advises travelers to treat Florida as a higher-risk jurisdiction for immigration-related complications during the tournament period, especially when plans involve multiple cities, late-night travel, or heavy driving around event traffic.
What To Do Before Traveling To Florida
The coalition’s guidance centers on preparation and documentation. Travelers should exercise “extreme caution,” carry identification, and register travel plans with their consulates before arriving. Separately, Florida tourism officials told Reuters the advisory was politically motivated and said lawful visitors should not be concerned. For travelers who still plan to attend matches, a key takeaway from the advisory is to reduce avoidable friction points.
That means confirming that passports and visas align with your itinerary, keeping proof of status and travel plans accessible, and planning extra time at arrival points and on the road during peak event periods. The coalition also directs readers to its “Know Your Rights” materials and lists its support resources alongside the advisory for those seeking guidance before traveling.
