In a written statement, Vancouver’s mayor says that the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not welcome in the city during the FIFA World Cup.
Ken Sim says that any security and policing will be conducted by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and that ICE will have no authority to be present in Vancouver.
“To be clear: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not been invited to operate in Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup, nor are they welcome to conduct enforcement activities here,” Sim said.
Sim’s statement was released after two Vancouver City councillors proposed a motion to be heard against the deployment of ICE agents when the city hosts seven FIFA World Cup matches.
Couns. Pete Fry and Sean Orr say that they additionally want the mayor to write to the federal Public Safety Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, requesting Ottawa’s support in rejecting any ICE deployment.
Fry says that he welcomes the mayor’s action, especially in light of recent local protests against ICE.
“Really a great show of solidarity with protesters and people who have been demonstrating against ICE,” he told 1130 NewsRadio.
“And, as you know, there have been concerns here in Vancouver over Hootsuite contracts with ICE.”
Fry adds that their motion – as does Sim’s statement – sends a clear signal to the world that Vancouver is a welcoming place.
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“The idea was always to get ahead of any remote possibility that they would be deploying here in Vancouver and to make a very clear statement of our values as an inclusive, equitable and vibrant city,” Fry said.
“Folks can know that they can come to Vancouver and feel secure and protected, knowing that we value the Canadian Charter, rights and freedoms, and commitments to public safety, equity and inclusion.”
The motion is scheduled to be heard during the council’s Wednesday meeting and was also drafted in consequence of ICE agents being sent to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
It notes that while there is no scheduled deployment, ICE agents are currently stationed at the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver, which Canadian authorities have permitted.
Vancouver’s BC Place will host its first FIFA World Cup match on June 13.
– With files from David Nadalini.