A coalition of immigrant and civil rights groups issued a travel alert for international tourists traveling to the United States, "particularly in Florida," warning that their rights, liberty, and physical securitycould potentially be in danger.
The coalition includes the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the American Friends Service Committee, the Family Action Network Movement, and Semillas de Colombia. The travel alert, which was issued on Wednesday, Feb. 4, advised people to "reconsider travel to the state."
The alert was issued in response to what the groups called multiple cases of tourists and U.S. citizens beingdetained for immigration enforcement purposes. The statewide travel alert is primarily focused onFIFA World Cupfans who are considering coming to Florida for the matches this year.
After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. are protesting against Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Hundreds of people gather to protest ICE at the corner of Palafox and Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
'ICE Out' protests spark marches, confrontations across US
After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. areprotestingagainst Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity.
"Florida is no longer a safe destination for international tourists," said Tessa Petit, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. "When federal and local agents can detain anyone at anytime without cause and without identifying themselves, everyone is at risk."
Petit added, "International visitors must ask themselves if a soccer match is worth the risk of being kidnapped and jailed until God-knows-when, in deplorable conditions, by a secret police who is using racial profiling, judging people for how they look or their accent, and getting away with literal murder in the streets of our country."
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International fans warned of travel alert to Florida ahead of FIFA matches
The immigrant and civil rights groups are concerned about international fans planning to travel to Florida for the2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in June.
Throngs of soccer fans from around the world are expected to descend on the United States for the various matches, includingseven scheduled in South Florida.
The groups said "enforcement tactics threaten to place international fans and delegations at risk — especially people of color, visitors from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and dual-nationals who could be targeted or questioned without cause."
The advisory urges travelers to:
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Exercise extreme caution
Carry identification at all times
Register their travel with their consulate before arrival
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'Florida is no longer safe'
Civil rights leadersgathered outside FIFA's offices near Miamion Thursday, Feb. 5,warning international travelersthat "Florida is no longer safe" and calling on the sports organization to take action against recent immigration tactics before the World Cup.
During the news conference, speakers stopped short of calling for a boycott of FIFA but instead encouraged the organization to take action before the June matches begin.
The Florida games will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. They include key group stage matches featuring Portugal vs. Colombia, Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, and Uruguay vs. Cape Verde in June.
The state will also host group stage clashes, such as Brazil vs. Scotland, plus a Round of 32 match, a quarterfinal game, and the third-place match in July.
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'Stay away from the USA'
Mark Pieth, a Swiss attorney who chaired an oversight committee on FIFA reform, hasurged fans to skip the World Cup.
"There's only one piece of advice for fans," he told the Swiss newspaper Der Bund. "Stay away from the USA! You'll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don't please officials, they'll be put straight on the next flight home. If they're lucky."
Sepp Blatter, the ex-FIFA president, wrote on social media, "I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup."
Contributing: Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post; Rob Landers, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Michelle Spitzeris a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network's Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida's breaking news. You can get all of Florida's best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, athttps://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today:Civil rights groups issue Florida travel alert ahead of FIFA World Cup
