Key facts
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged a "massive rethink" of US immigration policies.
- Türk cited concerns about racial profiling, surveillance, and immigration enforcement.
- Several individuals associated with the World Cup, including athletes and fans, have faced visa issues.
- The US is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
- FIFA's bidding rules require non-discriminatory visa processing.
The United Nations' top human rights official, Volker Türk, has called for a significant reevaluation of immigration policies, particularly in the United States, in light of issues arising before the start of the World Cup. Türk expressed concerns over racial profiling, surveillance, and immigration enforcement practices that he believes are negatively impacting the tournament and human dignity.
Türk highlighted several incidents, including the relocation of Iran's national team training camp and visa denials for Iranian officials. He also noted that an African referee from Somalia was refused entry into Miami, and images surfaced of a Senegalese player being searched by security personnel at an airport. Fans from countries like Morocco and Scotland have also reported difficulties with their travel documents.