Football fans fear being targets of American immigration raids

Manny Mizael exchanged Brazil for Boston 27 years ago, but his passion for a football team based at almost 5,000 miles from there in Rio de Janeiro burns as brilliant as ever.

So much so that Mizael helps direct a club of supporters based in Massachusetts for the team, Flamengo, one of the most popular in Brazil. His group regularly hosts match projections that attract hundreds of fans.

But this year, WhatsApp fans groups began to shed light on chatting on the repression of immigration from the Trump administration almost as much as on the last successes of Flamengo. The fears were so high that the group abandoned a mount of the frame in February, said Mizael, by concern that he could become a target for an immigration raid. Many fans come from the outside of the United States and lack legal status.

“People are snatched from the streets and are arrested,” said Mizael. “We decided not to play the game because we thought it could ruin the lives of many people.”

Cancellation was an overview of how President Trump’s immigration policies are preparing to affect the World Cup next year, the most watched event in sport. It is expected to attract around 6.5 million people, mainly in the United States, where most matches will be played. (Canada and Mexico co-organize the tournament.) Fans do everything For unique trips to the World Cup, years of savings or starting major purchases such as houses to pay for travel.