Los Angeles, 07 April (H.S.):

A union representing nearly 2,000 food service workers at SoFi Stadium has demanded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) be barred from World Cup operations, threatening strike action if unmet .

Unite Here Local 11, covering cooks, servers, and bartenders, highlighted the absence of a labor contract as the tournament nears. Key demands to FIFA and owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment include public assurances against ICE/Border Patrol involvement, union job protections, and affordable housing support for hospitality workers.

Union concerns escalated after Acting Homeland Security Director Todd Lyons stated ICE's key role in the event, potentially endangering workers and fans. FIFA and stadium management have not commented.

Additional demands oppose AI/automation displacing jobs and address soaring Inglewood housing costs via workforce funds, short-term rental curbs, and taxes for affordable housing/immigrant protections.

Co-president Kurt Petersen criticized FIFA and sponsors for ignoring frontline workers despite billions in expected revenue, noting repeated ignored meeting requests since LA's host selection.

SoFi Stadium hosts eight World Cup matches, starting with USA vs Paraguay on June 12.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar