Amid concerns that ICE will be deployed to World Cup venues in Canada, authorities say their officers have not made any arrests or possessed guns.
Published April 7, 2026
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers do not carry guns while on duty in Canada, the agency announced ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted with its North American neighbors.
An ICE spokesperson said agency officials are working with Canadian partners on joint drug, arms smuggling and human trafficking investigations, Canada’s national broadcaster CBC reported on Monday.
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The presence of U.S. agents in Canada has raised concerns that U.S. agents could be stationed at venues hosting World Cup matches, and Toronto city council has passed a motion opposing such a move.
However, an ICE spokesperson said its agents do not conduct operations in Canada, such as executing search warrants or making arrests.
ICE operates from five offices across Canada, including World Cup host cities Toronto and Vancouver, where 13 games will be held.
However, ICE has no authority or jurisdiction in mainland Canada, a spokesperson for federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree was quoted as saying by CBC.
Federal law gives immigration officials the power to arrest and detain people they believe have violated immigration laws in the United States.
In February, hundreds of protesters gathered in Milan, Italy, to reject the presence of ICE officers in the city ahead of the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
