Trump on World Cup visas: 'Working to make sure the right people get in'

Senegal team is searched on the track upon arriving in the USA; journalist reports approach
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, responded to criticism about the effects of his harsh immigration policies on the access of tourists and delegations to the World Cup this Wednesday (10).
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The Republican, who sanctioned a bill that guarantees US$70 billion in funding to help in the inspection and deportation of immigrants, directed to the Immigration and Customs Service (ICE) and the US Border Patrol (CBP), stated:
"We are working to ensure that the right people enter."
US President Donald Trump displays the Secure America Act after signing it in the Oval Office of the White House
REUTERS/Evan Vucci
The statement comes shortly after the UN spoke out asking the US to reconsider its practices in controlling the entry of foreigners during the competition.
In a statement given to reporters, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, criticized Donald Trump's government after fans, a Somali FIFA referee and team officials were prevented from entering the country for the competition, and called for changes:
"I sincerely hope that they deeply rethink the way in which immigration control measures affect human rights and human dignity and that, especially on the eve of the World Cup, policy reviews are made that, unfortunately, we have seen prevail, especially in the United States."
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The demonstrations of Donald Trump's government's harsh immigration policy during the World Cup have already begun, with national team searches and visas denied. In neighboring Mexico, on the other hand, the reception has been the opposite, with celebrations and fans.
On Monday (8), upon arriving in the United States, the Senegal team was subjected to a search on the runway at Raleigh airport, in North Carolina.
The players and members of the delegation were searched, one by one, with metal detectors and luggage inspection (see the video above).
In the early afternoon of this Tuesday (9), the Senegalese team clarified in a statement that the inspection took place before boarding, at the foot of the plane, precisely so that the team could take the flight without having to transit through the usual areas of the terminal and the departure lounges. Unidos, in Chicago, on June 9, 2026.
Reproduction/ Social networks
The case of Senegal, which went viral on the networks, was not the only one so far. The Belgium team was also subjected to a search with metal detectors even on the soles of their shoes upon arrival in Chicago this Tuesday (9). see below.
Also on Monday, Somali referee Omar Artan, scheduled to work at the soccer World Cup, was denied entry to the United States by the Trump administration, after hours of interrogation upon arriving in North American territory.
Artan, who would be the first Somali to referee a World Cup match, had a valid visa, according to the Somali Federation.
Uzbekistan's national team and delegation wait at the bus door next to arrive in New York to play a friendly against the Netherlands, on June 8, 2026.
Reproduction/ Social media
The Uzbekistan team was welcomed in Chicago with sniffer dogs when arriving for a friendly match against the Netherlands, also on Monday.
The country's delegation complained after the episode and reported having had all their luggage searched and waiting for hours standing under the strong sun for release. The coach of the Uzbekistan national team, Fabio Cannavaro, criticized the magazine and, to the North American press, said that "it was the first time in my life that I had to go through this", he said.
Mexico welcomes with celebration
In contrast to the USA, Mexico "opens the doors" to the World Cup
In Mexico, the first receptions had the opposite story line. The Spanish team was welcomed with music bands, dancers and flags when they arrived on Monday in the city of Puebla, where they played a friendly against Peru on Monday night.
In a post on its social networks, the Spanish football team's channel thanked the reception.
"Thank you for such a special welcome, friends", said the publication (see below).
Spanish team is welcomed with celebration in Mexico
Toughening of migration policy
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In addition to tightening the United States' migration policy since taking power at the beginning of last year, Donald Trump's government also adopted even stricter measures due to the 2026 World Cup.
One of them was the expansion of visa and travel restriction decrees from 19 to 39 countries. Nations such as Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Sudan and Mali suffer from partial or total suspensions in the issuance of short-stay tourist visas.
Washington also expanded the range of foreign citizens who would have to pay a deposit to acquire a visa to enter the country, in order to prevent fans and members of delegations from remaining in the United States illegally after the World Cup.
Citizens of around 50 countries considered "at risk" were required to post refundable deposits of US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000 to obtain a visa.

Source: G1