Key facts
- Olympic organizers are working with the White House to secure exemptions from President Trump's travel ban for athletes and officials.
- The initiative mirrors efforts by FIFA to secure similar exemptions for the World Cup.
- The LA28 committee supports requests for federal transportation funding.
- The House Appropriations Committee approved $875 million for Olympic operations.
- A portal for visa processing has been established to allow exemptions for individuals from countries covered by the travel ban.
Olympic organizers are collaborating with the White House to navigate immigration policies, specifically seeking exemptions from President Trump's travel ban for athletes and officials participating in the upcoming Games. This initiative mirrors efforts by FIFA, the international soccer governing body, to secure similar exemptions for the World Cup.
The LA28 committee is supporting requests from LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins and California lawmakers for approximately $2 billion in federal transportation funding. The House Appropriations Committee has already approved $875 million for Olympic operations in its fiscal year 2027 transportation funding bill.
At the State Department's request, the Olympic committee has established a portal for visa processing. This system is intended to allow U.S. authorities to exempt individuals from countries covered by Trump's travel ban, according to individuals familiar with the planning. The State Department has not yet commented on the matter.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has met with Trump multiple times to discuss similar entry issues for World Cup participants. While a White House FIFA World Cup Task Force has reviewed "edge cases" and granted consideration to some individuals, Trump's immigration policies have reportedly prevented others, including a referee and fans, from entering the United States.