Mexican Fans Missing from the Stands: Fear of ICE Silences Support for El Tri in the U.S.

• Mexican fans fear immigration raids
• Attendance drops at El Tri games
• ICE generates anxiety in stadiums

According to CNN, the Mexican national soccer team has been a symbol of unity for the Mexican community in the United States for decades.

Their matches are not just sporting events—they’re also cultural celebrations.

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is often the setting for these massive fiestas.

In March, over 68,000 fans packed the stands to watch Mexico beat Panama.

June 14 Marked a Turning Point

Over the past 12 months, the average attendance at El Tri matches in Inglewood exceeded 63,000 people.

But on June 14, something changed.

Only 54,309 people attended the match against the Dominican Republic in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

That number was nearly 10,000 below the average.

Cielito Lindo Absent Due to Fear of ICE

The main reason wasn’t the weather or the rival: it was fear.

In the days leading up to the match, immigration raids increased in Los Angeles.

Protests against ICE and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies intensified.

Fear hung in the air.

A Painful but United Decision

One major absence was Paco Rubén, founder of the fan group Cielito Lindo.

He and his entire group decided not to attend the match in solidarity with those afraid of being detained.

“We saw the images of the raids and didn’t feel at home,” Rubén told CNN Sports.

“Many of our members stayed home to protect their families.”

No Celebration, No Mexican Fiesta at SoFi Stadium

The decision was painful.

Rubén plans his life around the national team’s schedule.

“My friends know I won’t attend weddings if Mexico is playing that day,” he confessed.

But this time, community ties mattered more than football passion.

Cold Atmosphere, Cheap Tickets, and Fear

Cielito Lindo canceled their traditional pre-match fiestas.

So did Pancho Villa’s Army and Patrones de México, two other major El Tri fan groups in the U.S.

Livette Ruvalcaba, coordinator of Cielito Lindo, summarized the group’s sentiment:

“That day is when we feel most Mexican,” she said.

Fans Disappointed by Coach’s Silence

The atmosphere in the stadium felt cold.

Luis Espinosa, from the fan group Sigo al Tri, noticed it immediately.

“It was completely different from a normal match,” he said.

Tickets were being resold for less than $30—well below regular prices.

Fear of ICE Overshadows the Gold Cup

Just days before, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had urged the U.S. to avoid immigration raids at sporting events.

But the fear was already present.

ICE neither confirmed nor denied its presence at the games.

CBP (Customs and Border Protection) posted on social media that it was “ready” for the start of the Club World Cup.

Fan Groups Cancel Trips to the 2026 World Cup

Even though Mexico has already qualified for the quarterfinals, Cielito Lindo won’t be there to witness it.

They canceled their plans to attend matches in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Texas.

“It wouldn’t feel right to go knowing our friends can’t,” Rubén explained.

Mexican soccer is going through a critical moment in the United States.