Bremen's Werder Have Canceled Their US Tour Because Of Trump's Policies
- 21.02.2026, 15:59
Holding the match in Minneapolis is not in line with the club's values.
One of the top clubs in the German Bundesliga, Werder Bremen, has canceled a planned summer trip to Minnesota in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration's tough immigration policy. Holding the match in Minneapolis is "not in line with the values" of the club, Christoph Pieper, the club's chief press officer, told Politico on Friday, Feb. 20.
What is happening in the United States is "not in line with the values" of the German club
He pointed to the riots there and clashes between protesters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in which two people were shot dead. According to him, the club sees no possibility of holding matches in such a situation.
"We as a club have clear values. - he explained. - Our club stands for an open, pluralistic and united society. We strive to ensure that all people - regardless of their background, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability - are included and have a strong place in our community."
In addition, Pieper pointed to the increased difficulty of entering the U.S. since the beginning of President Trump's second term. "It is also unclear to us which players will be able to enter the United States because of the stricter entry requirements," he added. Earlier, Werder's summer tour to the United States was canceled by its CEO Klaus Filbry.
ICE actions in Minnesota
In January, the city of Minneapolis was engulfed by mass protests against ICE and Trump's immigration policies. The citizens' discontent was sparked when ICE agents killed two American citizens - 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretty and 37-year-old Renee Goode.
In mid-February, the White House announced the termination of ICE's Minnesota operation "in light of the successes achieved." During Operation Metro Surge, "many criminals" were arrested and Minnesota is now "less favorable" to them, the statement pointed out. Earlier, the White House claimed that federal forces had arrested about 4,000 "criminal illegal immigrants" in Minnesota, which include "murderers, rapists, and gang members."