Photo credit: Citynews
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow will ask city council next week to oppose any involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city when it hosts FIFA World Cup games.
CBC News reports Chow as saying in the motion that, “US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has demonstrated through their actions in Minnesota and across the US that they bring fear and disorder, not safety and security.
“Any presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Toronto is liable to create fear during a time when we want to welcome the world and ensure that everyone feels safe.”
However, the mayor’s office stated that it had no confirmation that ICDE would be in Toronto during the World Cup. The motion recommends that council ask Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to reject any ICE deployment in the city and Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner to oppose any involvement.
The motion, seconded by Coun. Paul Aimnslie also asks the council to forward its decision to the Toronto Police Service Board. The motion comes after ICE has received widespread criticism for its deportation crackdown in the US.
Vancouver city council also considered a similar motion in February. However, it did not go to a vote after it was ruled out of order.
Canada will play a men’s FIFA World Cup match in Toronto, facing the European Playoff A winner (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina) on June 12.
Toronto will host Ghana versus Panama on June 17, Germany versus Cote d’Ivoire on June 20, Panama versus Croatia on June 23, and Senegal versus a playoff winner, Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname, on June 26.
Toronto’s theme for the game is The World in the City, and there will be a FIFA Fan Festival at The Bentway in Toronto for 22 days from June 11 to July 19.
