ICE fears deter some from Mexico's Gold Cup win at Levi's: ‘La Raza is a little more tranquil'

San Francisco Chronicle​

15 hours ago

Gustavo Kamo was born and raised in Mexico. He moved to the U.S. when he was 15, became a naturalized American citizen, and built his own business. Ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal between Mexico and Honduras, he looked forward to spending the evening at Levi's Stadium with friends and colleagues.
Kamo said he invited upwards of 30 people who declined to accompany him Wednesday, for fear that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would show up.
'They can't risk it,' Kamo told the Chronicle.
'I mean, anyone who's having like a green card or a temporary permit, a work permit, because they're not respecting any of that.'
The perceived threat, though ultimately unfulfilled, appeared to temper what CONCACAF expected to be a sellout in Santa Clara on Wednesday — the final preview before a World Cup that will feature the Bay Area as one host of the host destinations.
The Rapid Response Network for Santa Clara County released a statement on Instagram about an hour and a half before the match began, citing confirmation via Santa Clara Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor, that Department of Homeland Security officers were present at Levi's 'for security purposes' as 'is standard protocol for large-scale international events.'
'Importantly, they are not conducting immigration enforcement,' said the statement from the volunteer group whose mission is to protect the community against ICE actions.
Mexico, the defending Gold Cup champions, won 1-0 at Levi's, which has a 68,500-seating capacity that can expand to more than 75,000 for select events. CONCACAF announced a crowd of 70,975 but did not clarify whether that number represented tickets sold or turnstiles.
'I do think 'La Raza' is a little more tranquil, they're a little more subdued, because if this wasn't going on right now with ICE and everything, it would be like 10 times rowdier right now,' said Leo Gonzalez, a Mexican American and U.S. Air Force veteran, and a friend of Kamo.
Gonzalez served actively for about four years and was in the reserves for another four. People often asked him how he could support the Mexico men's national team, as a member of the U.S. military. He reminded them he also cheered the U.S. men's national team, 'unless they played Mexico.' He grew up watching Mexico in the World Cup with his brother and father, set to turn 80 years old in 2026. He plans to get tickets for what'll be his first World Cup experience in-person, and his dad's first since the 1980s.
The U.S. and Mexico will play Sunday in the Gold Cup finals. Without hesitation, Gonzalez pledged his support for Mexico, then asked Kamo if there was a world in which he would ever consider backing the USMNT.
'It'd have to be a major change, dude, I just can't do it right now,' Kamo said.
'I'm a U.S. citizen, dude, I'm walking with (the thought), 'OK, what do I say if I get stopped? ''
Gonzalez remembered vividly his reaction when rumors surfaced that ICE could have a presence at Levi's: 'They can f— right off.'
Though the crowd at Levi's appeared short of a true sellout, it grew considerably and got close as the night progressed. Mexico fans especially made their presence felt after Raúl Jimenez scored in the 50th minute to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.
By the 70th minute, the lower bowl of Levi's coordinated a wave, Mexico and Honduras fans alike, during a stoppage in play that served as an enduring moment of unity.
For Kamo, the party started almost immediately after he parked.
'When I was coming out, I was getting beers from everybody left and right,' he said. 'Dude, I was hungry, starving when I parked. When I got to the gate, I was full, I was happy.
'I just don't want to see this country be so divided.'