Resistance to Donald Trump’s racist anti-immigrant crackdown is posing a threat to the administration’s hopes for next week’s World Cup kickoff, as workers weigh their options for making their opposition heard. 

Last week, Unite Here Local 11, the labor union that represents workers at SoFi Stadium, officially teed up a vote for Thursday and Friday of this week on whether to strike over workplace concerns ahead of the games that kick off June 11.

As The Athletic reported, a major sticking point for the union is its desire for assurances that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents won’t be permitted at the games. Per the outlet:

Among its key concerns, the union has called on FIFA to make a public commitment that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will not be permitted at World Cup venues during the World Cup, which has not been forthcoming. The union says this request is necessary in order to avoid safety risks to its workers. In a series of demands made to FIFA and the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (the stadium owners) in April, the union also wants restrictions on the use of subcontractors operating at SoFi, while also requesting that FIFA not permit any artificial intelligence or automation at the arena, which may eliminate otherwise union jobs.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin did little to dispel concerns a couple weeks back when he posted a video saying ICE agents will “be out there every day” during the World Cup targeting supposed lawbreakers. Given ICE’s documented tendency of apprehending people who have no criminal record, as well as American citizens, the secretary’s assurances are unlikely to assuage workers’ concerns. 

Ja’han Jones

Ja’han Jones is an MS NOW opinion blogger. He previously wrote The ReidOut Blog.