ICE arrests 900 suspected human traffickers during FIFA, 180 victims, some children, rescued: report

Federal agents arrested more than 900 suspected human traffickers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

They also rescued 180 victims, which included 30 children, according to the agency, Fox News reported. 

The arrests were made in the course of operations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations. These operations were carried out alongside the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, DHS said.

"While Americans and international visitors were enjoying the FIFA World Cup, the men and women of ICE law enforcement were hard at work cracking down on human trafficking operations in FIFA host cities across the country," DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. 

One case involved an adult book store in Dallas, where agents arrested eight people who allegedly ran a brother for more than 20 years. According to investigators, the business sold adults and children for sex, and one victim was murdered in 2024. The defendant in that case was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison.