Massachusetts Democrat Stephen Lynch wants no part of ICE at the World Cup, saying local and state law enforcement agencies are ready to secure the world’s largest sporting event themselves.

“Given that the Trump Administration has still not agreed to commonsense reforms to maximize community safety,” the South Boston Congressman stated in a social media post on Thursday, “it is clear that ICE should not serve as a ‘key part’ of security for the 2026 World Cup in Boston.”

Lynch is pointing to how Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has “agreed” that Massachusetts and Boston should take the “lead” in preparing safety and security measures for the World Cup, slated to be held at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, roughly 30 miles south of the city.

During a Congressional hearing on Minnesota fraud, Lynch asked Walz to share insight into what the Bay State should expect from ICE during the World Cup frenzy.

Minnesota has dominated ICE-related headlines over the past few months during a high-profile crackdown on illegal immigration that targeted sanctuary city policies, in response to fraud allegations involving Somali residents.

“What ICE did disrupted everything that we were doing,” Walz told Lynch. “And it forced our law enforcement agencies, who have worked hard to gain the public trust, to have the public believe in them.”

“So my advice to you, and especially when the world’s coming to see this,” the governor added, “let Boston’s finest lead. Let the people of Massachusetts lead. … The world should be looking forward to coming.”

This comes as the town of Foxboro remains at a standstill over security funding with Boston World Cup organizers, despite assurances from the Boston 2026 host committee that it will cover all upfront costs.

Boston 2026 sent a letter to the Foxboro Select Board on Thursday, referencing a funding commitment from Gillette Stadium.

Significantly, Todd Lyons has said that ICE plans to have a presence at the World Cup this summer. But the agency’s acting director has made it clear that ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations arm will be deployed, not Enforcement and Removal Operations.

HSI oversees all criminal investigations related to human trafficking and is present at events, like the Olympics and the Super Bowl.

“ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup,” Lyons said last month. “We’re dedicated to securing that operation, and we’re dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as our visitors.”

But Lynch remains focused on the enforcement and removal operations component of ICE, highlighting how the Bay State is set to host Morocco, Ghana, Bolivia, Iraq, Scotland, France, England and Suriname during the global tournament.

Gillette, set to be rebranded as Boston Stadium, is slated to host five group stage matches and two knockout games between June 13 and July 9. The World Cup is considered a SEAR 1 event, the highest risk level for public gatherings in the country.

“With our City expected to welcome more than 3 million international visitors,” the congressman added in a social media post on Thursday, “our professional state and local law enforcement agencies are well-equipped and trained to lead the way on security for this historic event.”