The 2026 World Cup should be a celebration. A coming together of nations through the beautiful game. But for many fans, particularly those from immigrant communities, the Department of Homeland Security's announcement that ICE agents will be present "every single day" has cast a shadow over the tournament.

Let me be clear about what DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the mission is: targeting human trafficking, drug smuggling, counterfeit merchandise, and fake ticket sales. Those are legitimate security concerns at any major international event. Nobody disputes that.

But here's what has migrant advocacy groups worried: Mullin did not completely rule out arrests related to immigration enforcement. And the lack of clarity about whether immigration checks will happen inside or around stadiums has created real fear in vulnerable communities.

José Jiménez, director of La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), told reporters that families have already stopped attending graduations, school events, and medical appointments because they're afraid of being detained. "Every week we receive calls and messages from relatives of LUPE members who have been detained," he said.

Think about what that means for the World Cup atmosphere. Part of what makes the tournament magical is the diversity of fans, the mixing of cultures, the shared passion for the game. If entire communities stay home because they're scared, that's not just a humanitarian issue — it's a sports issue.

The World Cup is supposed to showcase the best of what football represents: unity, joy, and competition at the highest level. North America gets to host this incredible event across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It's an opportunity to show the world what our continent is all about.

But if fans can't feel safe attending matches, if families are too scared to celebrate in stadiums, then we've missed the whole point. Security is essential. Nobody wants dangerous people at these events. But there has to be a way to ensure safety without creating an environment of fear for people who just want to watch football.

That's what sports is all about, folks — bringing people together, not driving them apart.