A coalition of civil and human rights groups on Friday released a statewide travel alert for Florida, cautioning international visitors that stepped-up immigration enforcement in the state could raise the likelihood of racial profiling, wrongful detention and deportation ahead of this years World Cup soccer tournament.
The organizations urged travelers and international fans to "exercise extreme caution," to carry valid identification at all times and to register their travel plans with their consulates prior to arrival. They also recommended that some visitors reconsider travel to Florida until, in the groups view, shortcomings in accountability and transparency around enforcement practices are addressed.
"Florida is no longer a safe destination for international tourists," Tessa Petit, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said in a statement, alleging that visitors and residents could be detained without cause and targeted based on appearance, language or accent.
Florida tourism officials responded sharply to the advisory. Bryan Griffin, President and CEO of Visit Florida, called the alerts "ridiculous" and accused their issuers of pursuing politically motivated tactics that would harm the state and its tourism industry.
"These 'advisories' are ridiculous and, unfortunately, politically-motivated stunts that needlessly seek to harm our state and industry," Griffin said. "Lawful visitors to our state have no reason to be concerned. Florida welcomes hundreds of thousands of travelers daily and is looking forward to being a hub for World Cup celebrations for residents and travelers alike. Visitors can expect an enjoyable, safe, and easy travel experience in Florida."
In support of their alert, the coalition pointed to reports compiled by journalists and civil rights organizations documenting instances in which U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and foreign tourists were reportedly detained following routine interactions with law enforcement, such as traffic stops. The groups also cited accounts of people being held for extended periods with limited access to legal counsel or consular assistance.
The publisher of the advisory noted that the specific incidents described could not be independently verified by the entity that released the advisory.
The coalition said Florida has broadened cooperation between some local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities, enabling trained local officers to carry out certain immigration-enforcement functions. The groups warned that such arrangements can increase the risk of over-policing within immigrant communities. Proponents of these programs, they acknowledged, argue that they serve to enhance public safety.
The travel alert arrives as the United States prepares to co-host the expanded, 48-team World Cup from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors across multiple host cities, with Miami scheduled to host seven matches. The U.S. will co-host the global event with neighboring Canada and Mexico.
The advisory and the strong reaction from state tourism officials underscore a clash between civil liberties advocates concerned about enforcement practices and authorities emphasizing the economic and cultural benefits of a major international sporting event. The dispute highlights potential reputational risks for Floridas tourism sector and raises questions for travelers about how immigration enforcement and public safety programs will be implemented in the run-up to and during the tournament.