Vice President JD Vance recently made headlines with a controversial comment that drew criticism and concern. During a task force meeting on the U.S.-hosted World Cup, Vance seemed to jokingly threaten international visitors with deportation if they overstayed their visas.
As the U.S. tourism industry faces significant challenges, Vance’s remarks about visa violations seemed out of place. He quipped that any visitors who stayed too long would “have to talk to Secretary [Kristi] Noem,” humorously suggesting the involvement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents rounding up soccer fans.
“Everybody is welcome to come and see this incredible event. We’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the games,” Vance said on Tuesday. “But when the time is up, we want them to go home.”
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy echoed Vance’s comments, encouraging tourists to explore the U.S. but warning them not to overstay their visas. “Don’t overstay your visa. Don’t stay too long,” Duffy said, adding, “Again, we welcome everyone.”
With rising reports of legal residents being detained and immigration enforcement at checkpoints increasing, many international tourists are now wary of visiting the U.S. Tourism experts predict a nearly 10% drop in international travel to the U.S. in 2025 due to concerns about immigration policies and the impact of tariffs. California’s tourism office anticipates a similar decline in visitors.
“We definitely are collateral damage and part of the domino effect. We’re just caught in a chain reaction of broader economic and political decisions,” said Caroline Beteta, CEO of Visit California, in an interview with Politico.
