HB7988, the “Safe Passage to the World Cup Act,” would bar the use of federal funds made available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice for civil immigration enforcement on public transit or at public transit hubs during a defined period surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The restriction would apply from June 11, 2026 through July 19, 2026 in any metropolitan statistical area hosting a World Cup match or Fan Festival. The bill is framed as a temporary, event-specific limitation intended to create a safer and more accessible transit environment for attendees and residents during the tournament.
The bill includes an exception for “exigent circumstances,” allowing enforcement when there is an imminent risk of death, violence, physical harm, terrorism, national security threats, hot pursuit of a dangerous individual, or imminent destruction of evidence in an ongoing criminal case. It does not change immigration law generally, but instead limits how federal immigration-enforcement resources may be used in a narrow geographic and time-limited context tied to the World Cup.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would temporarily restrict DHS and DOJ civil immigration enforcement operations on public transit systems and at transit hubs in host metropolitan areas during the World Cup period. It would not repeal or amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, but it would condition the use of federal funds for certain enforcement activities and create a short-term operational constraint for federal immigration authorities in designated cities. Transit riders, event attendees, and local jurisdictions in World Cup host areas would be the most directly affected parties.
Sentiment
The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, with no recorded votes or committee transcript excerpts provided. Based on the text, the bill appears to be motivated by public-safety and access concerns around a major international sporting event, suggesting support from sponsors seeking to reduce fear of immigration enforcement on transit during the tournament. Because there is no hearing or vote history in the provided materials, there is no documented opposition or formal sentiment from committee debate in the record supplied.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be whether Congress should limit federal immigration enforcement in public transit settings, even temporarily, and whether doing so could reduce enforcement effectiveness or create public-safety risks. Supporters would emphasize safe passage, access to transit, and a welcoming environment for World Cup visitors and residents, while critics may argue the bill unnecessarily constrains DHS and DOJ operations and could impede enforcement in crowded transportation venues. The bill’s exigent-circumstances exception appears designed to address those concerns by preserving action in emergencies, but the scope of that exception could still be debated.
Authorizes any person who is licensed or certified as a physician, physician's assistant, massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, nurse, nurse practitioner, emergency medical technician, podiatrist or athletic trainer by a foreign government or another state or territory to provide medical services during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 26.
Authorizes any person who is licensed or certified as a physician, physician's assistant, massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, nurse, nurse practitioner, emergency medical technician, podiatrist or athletic trainer by a foreign government or another state or territory to provide medical services during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 26.