ICE Agents in Canada for World Cup: No Enforcement, Just Investigations

0:00It's April 6th, you're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. There's buzz about U.S. immigration and customs enforcement agents showing up in Canada ahead of World Cup games in Toronto and Vancouver. IC has five offices there, including in those cities focused on joint work with Canadian partners on stuff like drugs muggling, weapons, human, trafficking, and rescuing kids from exploitation. But they stress no arrests, no search warrants, and no guns on Canadian soil. These agents are posted at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. They're all about investigations, not operations. Meanwhile, Toronto City Council just passed a motion from Mayor Olivia Chow, pushing back against any ice presence at the matches. Vancouver counselors tried a similar move back in February, but it didn't pass. The spokesperson for Canada's Public Safety Minister made it clear last week. Ice has zero authority here, and Canadian cops handle all enforcement.

1:03This comes as Canada co-hosts the 39-day tournament with the U.S. and Mexico, with 13 games set for Toronto and Vancouver. IC helped with security at the recent Winter Olympics in Italy, but again, no enforcement abroad. Critics points to ice's rough tactics back home, like aggressive raids and deaths in custody, fighting over three dozen since January 20th. 25. With the World Cup high building, eyes are on how these partnerships play out without crossing lines.