Save the World Cup Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7986
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:05:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Save the World Cup Act" (H.R. 7986) aims to restrict federal civil immigration enforcement activities near 2026 FIFA World Cup matches and Fan Festivals to prevent disruptions during these international events.
Key Provisions
- Funding Limitation: No federal funds allocated to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Department of Justice (DOJ) can be used for civil immigration enforcement (non-criminal actions like deportations under U.S. immigration laws) within one mile of any 2026 FIFA World Cup match or Fan Festival, except under exigent circumstances.
- Exigent Circumstances Definition: Exceptions apply in urgent situations, including:
- Imminent risk of death, violence, physical harm, or terrorism to any person.
- Imminent threat to U.S. national security.
- Immediate arrest or hot pursuit of someone posing an imminent public safety risk (e.g., related to death, violence, or harm).
- Imminent destruction of evidence critical to an ongoing criminal case.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new, specific geographic and temporal restriction on federal funding for civil immigration enforcement, overriding other laws ("notwithstanding any other provision of law").
- Creates narrow exceptions tied to immediate dangers, shifting priorities away from routine civil enforcement during events.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DHS (e.g., ICE) and DOJ face operational limits in designated zones, potentially requiring reallocation of resources or coordination with local law enforcement for non-civil matters.
- Citizens and Immigrants: Reduces risk of civil immigration actions (like detentions for deportation) for undocumented individuals near events, but criminal enforcement remains unaffected.
- International Relations: Supports smooth hosting of the 2026 World Cup (co-hosted by U.S., Canada, Mexico) by minimizing enforcement that could deter international visitors or harm the event's image.
- Event Logistics: Enhances safety and appeal for millions of attendees by focusing federal resources on high-threat scenarios.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Agencies: DHS and DOJ (primary funders restricted).
- Immigrants and Undocumented Individuals: Protected from routine civil enforcement in event zones.
- Event Organizers and Attendees: FIFA, World Cup hosts, fans, and tourists benefiting from uninterrupted events.
- Local Governments and Law Enforcement: May need to handle immigration-related issues indirectly.
- U.S. Public: Residents near venues (e.g., stadiums in host cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Funding restrictions via Congress are constitutional (power of the purse), but could face challenges if seen as undermining executive immigration authority.
- Constitutional: No direct conflicts noted, though it prioritizes event security over standard enforcement, potentially raising equal protection questions for non-event areas.
- Political: Signals debate on immigration enforcement priorities during high-profile events; may influence future event-related policies or sanctuary-like measures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Save the World Cup Act — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (3 pages)