Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon has urged senior members of the Trump administration to rethink border and immigration policies that he says are making it difficult for travelers to enter the United States — a concern he raised in light of upcoming major international sporting events like the 2026 World Cup.
In a letter sent Friday, Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, addressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing growing reports of delays and detentions affecting tourists, businesspeople, legal residents, and even U.S. citizens. He warned that these issues could severely undermine the country’s ability to host large global events.
“This has turned ordinary travel into a needlessly grueling ordeal,” Wyden wrote.
There’s growing evidence that travelers from abroad are increasingly cautious about visiting the United States due to the administration’s strict border enforcement policies. Some countries have even updated their travel advisories to reflect these concerns.
Tourism Economics, a travel industry forecasting firm, recently revised its projections, now estimating a 9.4% decline in international arrivals to the U.S. this year.
Wyden highlighted several troubling cases to illustrate his point. One involved a German traveler who was detained for 16 days after trying to reenter the U.S. with his American fiancée following a road trip to Mexico. In another instance, a British backpacker named Becky Burke was held at a detention facility in Washington state for nearly three weeks after being stopped at the U.S.-Canada border.
These incidents, Wyden argued, are part of a broader trend that has financial consequences. According to preliminary data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office, overseas visits to the U.S. in March were down 11.6% compared to the same time last year. The projected drop in spending from international travelers this year could total $9 billion.
Looking ahead, Wyden emphasized the urgent need to address the issue before the U.S. plays host to several high-profile sporting events. In addition to the 2026 FIFA World Cup — which the U.S. will co-host with Mexico and Canada — the country will also welcome athletes and visitors for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the Club World Cup tournament this summer across 11 U.S. cities.
“These events will bring a significant influx of travelers, including elite athletes, support staff, government officials, journalists, and fans,” Wyden wrote. “If these harsh and unnecessary approaches to border enforcement continue, some athletes may miss the chance to compete in events they’ve trained their entire lives for.”
Border policies have already disrupted sports participation for some. Venezuelan forward Deyna Castellanos, a player in the National Women’s Soccer League, skipped international matches out of concern she might be denied reentry into the U.S. Similarly, Zambia’s national soccer team decided not to call up four U.S.-based players for games in China due to travel uncertainty.
In March, President Trump met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and announced a new federal task force to coordinate government planning and security for next year’s World Cup.