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Miami Herald
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
World Cup Boat Party Canceled After DHS, Coast Guard Operation
A floating soccer World Cup party attended by the mayor of Miami-Dade County and FIFA officials was canceled after a federal immigration agent joined a Coast Guard inspection of the boat in Miami's Biscayne Bay on Wednesday night. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, told Newsweek that the party "had to be abruptly canceled due to a joint operation with Homeland Security and the Coast Guard," adding that the incident was "deeply troubling" and something that "should not have happened." A Coast Guard spokesperson told the Miami Herald that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was part of the team that boarded the vessel, the Barefoot Princess, but said it was a routine inspection and "not a targeted immigration thing." However, some attendees reported that crew members on the vessel had been asked for identification and proof of their immigration status. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard and FIFA for comment via email. Miami is among the 16 cities across the U.S, Canada and Mexico that will be hosting the soccer World Cup from June 11 to July 19 next year. Wednesday's incident adds to concerns about how safe fans will feel traveling to the city for the tournament amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Miami-Dade County is investing at least $40 million into the tournament, with leaders hopeful that a surge in tourism will justify the cost. The party was hosted by Telemundo to celebrate the 2026 World Cup being a year away. A spokesperson for Telemundo confirmed to Newsweek that it canceled its "One Year to Go" event after "delays caused by a routine Coast Guard inspection." Levine Cava said she was not made aware of the operation beforehand, and that she was informed by organizers that the event was being canceled. The incident was first reported on social media by Thomas Kennedy, of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Kennedy told Newsweek that several attendees had told him that staff on the boat had been asked by agents to show identification and proof of their immigration status. Lt. Nicolina Converso, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard's Seventh District, told the Herald that no action was taken from the inspection aside from citations for safety violations against the vessel. Coast Guard spokesperson Chief Petty Officer Nicole Groll told the newspaper that it was standard procedure for the Coast Guard to run background checks on the crew operating a commercial vessel and ask for identification from all crew members. Asked if crew members were asked about their citizenship, Groll said she "can't say which words were said" but added that "this was not a targeted immigration thing." Groll said the inspection "had nothing to do with the event that was happening onboard" and "everything to do with the operations and safety of the people onboard" and "to make sure the business that was this boat was operating legally and safely." Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement to Newsweek: "As our county marks one year out from the World Cup 2026 being hosted in Miami-Dade, events have been scheduled to commemorate this milestone including one hosted yesterday by Telemundo that I was invited to attend. Unfortunately, at a time our community should have been celebrating, the event had to be abruptly canceled due to a joint operation with Homeland Security and the Coast Guard. As a guest, I was not made aware of this operation beforehand; we were informed by event organizers that the event was being canceled." Levine Cava added: "Miami-Dade is a globally recognized community that is proud to welcome visitors from around the world. This incident is deeply troubling as it can cause a chilling effect for visitors to continue feeling safe and welcomed in our community, particularly as we prepare for the World Cup next year—an event that is expected to have a historic impact on our local economy. We urge a thorough review by DHS and the Coast Guard of these protocols, as this should not have happened. Ensuring that all community members feel safe and included is crucial to maintaining our county's reputation as a welcoming destination for both residents and visitors." A Telemundo spokesperson told Newsweek: "Due to delays caused by a routine Coast Guard inspection, Telemundo canceled its One Year To Go celebration event in Miami [on Wednesday]. We regret the inconvenience to our guests and appreciate their understanding. We look forward to continuing the road to the FIFA World Cup 26 and bringing this historic tournament to our viewers." Levine Cava has called for the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast to conduct a "thorough review" of their protocols. Miami will host seven World Cup matches next year, starting on June 15, 2026. Related Articles How to Buy Inter Miami vs Al Ahly Tickets: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Discount Promo CodeTravis Kelce's Subtle Nod to Taylor Swift Spotted in New PhotosAI Will Connect Mercedes-Benz Places Residents to the World5-Star Miami Hotel Sued After Worker Allegedly Entered Woman's Bathroom 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
World Cup Boat Party Canceled After DHS, Coast Guard Operation
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A floating soccer World Cup party attended by the mayor of Miami-Dade County and FIFA officials was canceled after a federal immigration agent joined a Coast Guard inspection of the boat in Miami's Biscayne Bay on Wednesday night. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, told Newsweek that the party "had to be abruptly canceled due to a joint operation with Homeland Security and the Coast Guard," adding that the incident was "deeply troubling" and something that "should not have happened." A Coast Guard spokesperson told the Miami Herald that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was part of the team that boarded the vessel, the Barefoot Princess, but said it was a routine inspection and "not a targeted immigration thing." However, some attendees reported that crew members on the vessel had been asked for identification and proof of their immigration status. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard and FIFA for comment via email. Beau Ferrari and Marc Anthony unveil the FIFA World Cup Miami Countdown Clock during the FIFA World Cup One Year Out Celebration at Perez Art Museum Miami on June 11, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Beau Ferrari and Marc Anthony unveil the FIFA World Cup Miami Countdown Clock during the FIFA World Cup One Year Out Celebration at Perez Art Museum Miami on June 11, 2025 in Miami, It Matters Miami is among the 16 cities across the U.S, Canada and Mexico that will be hosting the soccer World Cup from June 11 to July 19 next year. Wednesday's incident adds to concerns about how safe fans will feel traveling to the city for the tournament amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Miami-Dade County is investing at least $40 million into the tournament, with leaders hopeful that a surge in tourism will justify the cost. What To Know The party was hosted by Telemundo to celebrate the 2026 World Cup being a year away. A spokesperson for Telemundo confirmed to Newsweek that it canceled its "One Year to Go" event after "delays caused by a routine Coast Guard inspection." Levine Cava said she was not made aware of the operation beforehand, and that she was informed by organizers that the event was being canceled. The incident was first reported on social media by Thomas Kennedy, of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Kennedy told Newsweek that several attendees had told him that staff on the boat had been asked by agents to show identification and proof of their immigration status. Lt. Nicolina Converso, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard's Seventh District, told the Herald that no action was taken from the inspection aside from citations for safety violations against the vessel. Coast Guard spokesperson Chief Petty Officer Nicole Groll told the newspaper that it was standard procedure for the Coast Guard to run background checks on the crew operating a commercial vessel and ask for identification from all crew members. Asked if crew members were asked about their citizenship, Groll said she "can't say which words were said" but added that "this was not a targeted immigration thing." Groll said the inspection "had nothing to do with the event that was happening onboard" and "everything to do with the operations and safety of the people onboard" and "to make sure the business that was this boat was operating legally and safely." What People Are Saying Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement to Newsweek: "As our county marks one year out from the World Cup 2026 being hosted in Miami-Dade, events have been scheduled to commemorate this milestone including one hosted yesterday by Telemundo that I was invited to attend. Unfortunately, at a time our community should have been celebrating, the event had to be abruptly canceled due to a joint operation with Homeland Security and the Coast Guard. As a guest, I was not made aware of this operation beforehand; we were informed by event organizers that the event was being canceled." Levine Cava added: "Miami-Dade is a globally recognized community that is proud to welcome visitors from around the world. This incident is deeply troubling as it can cause a chilling effect for visitors to continue feeling safe and welcomed in our community, particularly as we prepare for the World Cup next year—an event that is expected to have a historic impact on our local economy. We urge a thorough review by DHS and the Coast Guard of these protocols, as this should not have happened. Ensuring that all community members feel safe and included is crucial to maintaining our county's reputation as a welcoming destination for both residents and visitors." A Telemundo spokesperson told Newsweek: "Due to delays caused by a routine Coast Guard inspection, Telemundo canceled its One Year To Go celebration event in Miami [on Wednesday]. We regret the inconvenience to our guests and appreciate their understanding. We look forward to continuing the road to the FIFA World Cup 26 and bringing this historic tournament to our viewers." What's Next Levine Cava has called for the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast to conduct a "thorough review" of their protocols. Miami will host seven World Cup matches next year, starting on June 15, 2026.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Miami-Dade mayor was at World Cup party that broke up after Border agent arrived: ‘Troubling'
A federal immigration agent arrived Wednesday night at an exclusive World Cup party on Biscayne Bay attended by Miami-Dade County's mayor, who is calling the incident 'deeply troubling' and a potential warning sign that international soccer fans won't feel safe traveling to Miami next year for the global soccer matches. 'This should not have happened,' Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a second-term Democrat, said in a statement Thursday. 'Ensuring that all community members feel safe and included is crucial to maintaining our county's reputation as a welcoming destination for both residents and visitors.' The floating soiree, which was put on by Telemundo to celebrate the 2026 World Cup games being a year away, ended early after a Coast Guard boat conducted what an agency spokesperson said was a routine inspection of the barge that was the night's exclusive party spot. The Coast Guard spokesperson said one Customs and Border Protection agent was part of the federal team, and partygoers reported that authorities asked crew members of the party vessel, the Barefoot Princess, for identification that would prove their citizenship. No action was taken from the inspection beyond citations for safety violations against the vessel, said Lt. Nicolina Converso, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard's Miami station. She did not have details on the violations. 'This was a routine boarding,' she said. 'Sometimes we will randomly go and check on boats in the area.' In a later interview, Coast Guard spokesperson Nicole Groll emphasized that the Coast Guard's purpose for the vessel boarding was a safety check. 'This had nothing to do with the event that was happening onboard,' she said. 'This had everything to do with the operations and safety of the people onboard. And to make sure the business that was this boat was operating legally and safely.' Groll said the vessel in question was boarded earlier in the year and that safety issues were found then. She also said that it's standard procedure for the Coast Guard to run background checks on the professional crew operating a commercial vessel. 'They were talking to the captain and the crew,' she said. 'It's the same as if you get pulled over by a police officer.' Asked if federal agents asked crew members about their citizenship, Groll said she couldn't say for sure. 'I can't say which words were said,' she told the Herald. 'This was not a targeted immigration thing.' Telemundo, a Spanish-language network that broadcasts World Cup games, said it opted to cancel the event after the Coast Guard inspection delayed the start of the pre-sunset festivities. The statement did not address the immigration-enforcement concerns raised by Levine Cava. 'Due to delays caused by a routine Coast Guard inspection, Telemundo canceled its One Year to Go celebration,' the network statement said. 'We regret the inconvenience to our guests and appreciate their understanding.' The incident was first publicized on social media by Thomas Kennedy, an immigrant advocate in Miami. He shared with the Miami Herald a text message he said he received from a person at the party. 'They came on board, did an inspection,' the message read. 'A border control agent was also on board asking the boat staff specifically to show identification and proof of citizenship. This was while guests were already onboard…including the mayor.' Levine Cava did not say whether she saw anyone being asked for identification, but the owner of a different boat company told the Herald it is typical for the Coast Guard to ask professional crew members about citizenship during a stop. In her statement, Levine Cava said the Coast Guard boarding could be a black eye for the Miami area as it prepares to be a host of the 2026 World Cup games. Miami-Dade is contributing more than $40 million to subsidize the summer games, with hopes of a surge of international visitors and spending to offset the public expenditures. 'Miami-Dade is a globally recognized community that is proud to welcome visitors from around the world,' she said. 'This incident is deeply troubling as it can cause a chilling effect for visitors to continue feeling safe and welcomed in our community.'
