The World Cup Comes to Miami

BEFORE JUNE BRINGS THE FIRST FIFA WORLD CUP GAMES TO MIAMI, A DIVERSE NETWORK OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL LABOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED TO FORM THE DIGNITY 2026 COALITION REPRESENTATIVES FROM THAT GROUP HOPES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF WHAT THEY CALL THE THREAT, ICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS COULD POSE THE FLORIDA COMMUNITIES DURING THE GAMES WGCU’S KATE CRONIN REPORTS. >> DARIO GOMEZ IS THE FLORIDA STATE ORGANIZER FOR THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION. HE SAYS THAT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COALITION FEAR PEOPLE IN HOST CITIES WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S IMMIGRATION POLICIES. >> WE ARE URGING FIFA AND THE HOST COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY PLAN TO SAFEGUARD THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND WELL-BEING. BOTH VISITING TOURISTS AND STAFF. WE ARE ASKING FOR A MORATORIUM ON DEPORTATIONS DURING THE GAMES AND TO ABIDE BY LABOR STANDARDS. >> GOMEZ ADDS THAT FLORIDA'S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT POLICIES OR THREAT TO INNOCENT PEOPLE. >> ONE OF THE CLEAREST WAYS THAT HARM IS SHOWING UP RIGHT NOW IS TO FLORIDA'S EXTREME EXPANSION OF THE 2, 8, 7 G AGREEMENT. A DEAL THAT TURNS LOCAL POLICE IN 2 IMMIGRATION AGENTS WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LOCAL POLICE ARE PULLED INTO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. IT LEADS TO DISCRIMINATION. IT LEADS TO RACIAL PROFILING. IT LEADS TO OFFICERS MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON HOW SOMEONE LOOKS HOW THEY SPEAK OR WHETHER THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT, THEY SHOULD ALARM EVERY ONE OF US. >> GOMEZ SAYS THE ADVISORY IS NOT INTENDED TO SPREAD FEAR OR PANIC. >> WE ARE HERE TO OFFER A SOBERING REALITY CHECK. WE ARE HERE TO WARN ANYONE CONSIDERING TRAVEL TO FLORIDA. OF THE VERY REAL RISKS OF RACIAL PROFILING DISCRIMINATION AND ATTENTION THAT YOU MAY FACE AT THE HANDS OF ICE TO CBP AND EVEN OUR STATE AND LOCAL POLICE HERE IN MIAMI. >> GOMEZ ALSO WARNS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING ARRESTED. >> WE ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF YOU ARE DETAINED. THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN OUR DETENTION CENTERS MAY MEAN THAT YOU ARE STUCK IN AN INDEFINITE LEGAL LIMBO. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED PEOPLE BEING DISCOURAGED DELAYED AND OUTRIGHT BLOCKED FOR A MEETING WITH THEIR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS LAST SUMMER OVER 80 HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SENT A LETTER TO FIFA. >> URGING THEM TO CREATE PLACE. OUR PROTECT OUR FAMILIES. AND SO FAR NOTHING HAS REALLY MATERIALIZED. YES, THERE IS BLAME ON FIFA, BUT THERE'S ALSO BELIEVE ON THE MIAMI HOST COMMITTEE, LOCAL INTERESTS ARE INCOMPLETE WITHOUT PROTECTING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. >> GOMEZ SAYS THIS ADVISORY DOES NOT STOP JUST AT UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE. HE CITES LAWSUITS FILED ON BEHALF OF U.S. CITIZENS. FOR WGCU NEWS. I'M KATE CRONIN.