MEXICO CITY — On Friday, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed U.S. officials, requesting that they refrain from cracking down on attendees of the Gold Cup soccer match in Los Angeles, featuring the Mexican national team against the Dominican Republic.
In recent times, federal immigration authorities executed a wave of operations in LA’s fashion district and in Home Depot parking lots across Southern California, resulting in the detention of over 100 individuals.
President Sheinbaum expressed her concerns in a press briefing, stating, “We firmly hope there are no raids coinciding with the soccer game. Our appeal is for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to abstain from any apprehensions during this event.” The clash between Mexico and the Dominican Republic is set to unfold on Saturday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, as part of the Gold Cup’s group stage.
Mexican national team matches in Southern California consistently draw large crowds. Most notably, a match held there in March attracted over 50,000 supporters during a League of Nations semifinal against Canada.
In light of ongoing immigration policies, President Donald Trump’s administration recently ramped up enforcement by dispatching National Guard troops and Marines to the Los Angeles area. This move came in the aftermath of the raids, which had sparked a series of vigorous protests throughout the city. Downtown Los Angeles became a battleground for demonstrations ranging from peaceful assemblies to more vocal upheavals. Over the weekend, protestors took to blocking major highways and ignited cars in acts of defiance.
Reacting to safety concerns, the Mexican national team opted to relocate their accommodations earlier in the week, moving from downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach.
Further initiatives were also announced by Sheinbaum, who revealed that the Mexican consulates in the United States have launched an information campaign to support Mexicans faced with potential unjust detention by immigration officials. “Through our consulates, we’ve initiated a campaign that will inform individuals on possible actions to take if detained, while also ensuring continued communication with their families,” Sheinbaum stated.