Safe Passage to the World Cup Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7988
- 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
- 2026-04-04T19:31:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Safe Passage to the World Cup Act (H.R. 7988)
Purpose
This legislation aims to temporarily restrict the use of federal funds by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice for civil immigration enforcement activities on public transit systems and at transit hubs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup period in designated host areas.
Key Provisions
- Funding Limitation: No federal funds may be used for civil immigration enforcement under the Immigration and Nationality Act on public transit or at public transit hubs from June 11, 2026, through July 19, 2026, in any metropolitan statistical area hosting a FIFA World Cup match or Fan Festival.
- Exception for Exigent Circumstances: Enforcement is permitted in situations involving imminent risk of death, violence, or physical harm (including terrorism); imminent national security threats; immediate arrest or hot pursuit of individuals posing public safety risks; or imminent destruction of evidence in an ongoing criminal case.
- Scope: The restriction applies specifically to civil (non-criminal) enforcement and overrides other laws for the defined period and locations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a time-limited and location-specific prohibition on the expenditure of federal funds for immigration enforcement, creating an exception to standard agency operations during the World Cup events.
- Applies "notwithstanding any other provision of law," temporarily superseding broader authorities for civil enforcement in the specified contexts.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Restricts operational flexibility for the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice in host metropolitan areas during the event window, potentially requiring adjustments to enforcement priorities.
- Citizens and Transit Users: May reduce encounters with immigration enforcement for individuals using public transit in affected cities, including U.S. residents and visitors.
- International Relations: Supports smoother access to World Cup-related events by limiting enforcement risks for international attendees traveling through public transit systems in host regions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice, as their funding and activities are directly limited.
- Local governments and transit authorities in metropolitan statistical areas hosting World Cup matches or Fan Festivals.
- Individuals subject to civil immigration enforcement, particularly those using public transit.
- FIFA, event organizers, and international visitors attending the 2026 World Cup.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill creates a narrow, temporary carve-out from immigration enforcement funding rules without altering the underlying immigration laws themselves.
- Exceptions for exigent circumstances preserve federal authority to address immediate safety or security threats.
- As an appropriations restriction rather than a direct change to enforcement powers, it may raise questions about congressional authority over agency spending but does not appear to conflict with core constitutional provisions on immigration.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
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
- Safe Passage to the World Cup Act — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (3 pages)