Amnesty International warns World Cup visitors of US authoritarianism

Amnesty International and more than a dozen U.S. civil and human rights organizations have issued a “World Cup travel advisory,” cautioning international visitors about what they describe as deteriorating conditions in the United States ahead of the upcoming tournament.

The coalition’s unprecedented warning, released Thursday, cites “rising authoritarianism and increasing violence” linked to President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. The groups claim the advisory is necessary due to what they see as a lack of meaningful safeguards from FIFA, host cities, or the U.S. government to protect visitors’ rights.

According to the advisory, international travelers may face arbitrary entry denials, detention in what the groups characterize as “inhumane” conditions, or invasive searches of phones and social media accounts. The statement specifically references immigration enforcement operations in World Cup host cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, which critics have alleged involved racial profiling and violent responses to protests.

Tourism industry representatives swiftly condemned the advisory as politically motivated. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, acknowledged legitimate concerns about entry policies but insisted they were being exaggerated for political effect.

“The notion that visiting America poses a meaningful safety risk is not a good-faith warning, it’s a political tactic designed to cause economic harm,” Freeman stated, noting that the U.S. welcomed 67 million international travelers last year without widespread incidents.

When contacted, a FIFA spokesperson referenced the organization’s governing documents, which state: “FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights.” However, the spokesperson did not directly address the specific concerns raised in the advisory.

The controversy emerges against a backdrop of declining international tourism since Trump’s return to office. His administration has strained relationships with traditional allies through controversial statements about Canada, Greenland, and NATO’s relevance. The implementation of a travel ban affecting citizens from 19 countries has created additional uncertainty for potential visitors.

Tourism experts note that the World Cup, which begins June 11 with matches across North America, typically provides a substantial economic boost to host nations. The U.S. economy, particularly in the 11 American host cities, stands to benefit significantly from the influx of international visitors and their spending.

The Biden administration is attempting to counter concerns by expediting visa processing for tournament attendees. Officials hope that global excitement surrounding the event will overshadow worries that Trump’s immigration rhetoric contradicts the World Cup’s traditional themes of international cooperation and unity.

This year’s tournament represents the most geographically expansive World Cup in history, with matches scheduled across 16 venues—11 in the United States, two in Canada, and three in Mexico. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors and billions of television viewers worldwide.

Human rights advocates argue that the advisory serves as an important warning for visitors who may be unfamiliar with recent changes in U.S. immigration enforcement. Critics counter that such warnings could unnecessarily damage local economies that depend on tourism revenue, particularly affecting service industry workers in host cities.

The controversy highlights the increasing intersection of sports, politics, and human rights concerns that has characterized recent international sporting events. Similar advisories have been issued before other major tournaments in countries with contentious human rights records, but this marks one of the first such warnings directed at visitors to the United States for a global sporting event.