What was supposed to be the beginning of a golden chapter for James Rodríguez in Major League Soccer (MLS) has turned, within hours, into a highstakes legal and immigration debate. Following his recent signing with Minnesota United, a shadow of uncertainty looms over the Colombian star. Renowned analyst Carlos Antonio Vélez has raised alarms with a blunt assertion: James could face direct problems with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if he does not regularize his situation immediately.
The Origin of the Controversy: Training Without a Visa?
The controversy erupted during the broadcast of Palabras Mayores on Antena 2. According to Vélez, although James is already in the United States and has been presented with great fanfare by his new club, he still does not have the required P1 work visa that would allow him to legally perform his profession in the country.
“James Rodríguez has not received his work visa, and he cannot train without it. The league begins this Saturday,” warned Vélez.
The critical point in Vélez’s warning lies in the distinction between being physically in the United States and performing work activities. “He has a tourist visa; he cannot work, and if he does, ICE could show up. This is no joke, especially in that area and throughout the United States. You cannot work without the proper documents anywhere,” the journalist stated, emphasizing that even official training sessions with the team could be interpreted as a violation of immigration laws if carried out under a tourist visa or without the proper authorization.
The Shadow of ICE and the Legal Consequences
The mention of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is no small matter. In the United States, immigration laws are strict when it comes to elite athletes. If a foreigner engages in paid or workrelated activities without authorization, they risk penalties ranging from the cancellation of their current visa to deportation and a multiyear ban from entering the country.
For a player with his sights set on the 2026 World Cup-set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada-a legal issue of this magnitude would be catastrophic. It would not only affect his future with Minnesota United but could jeopardize his participation in the global tournament with the Colombian national team.
A Debut on Hold
This administrative issue comes at the worst possible time. The MLS season is about to begin, and Minnesota United was counting on James as its main figure for the kickoff. However, if the visa process is not resolved in the coming hours, the coaching staff led by Cameron Knowles would be forced to leave him out of the squad to avoid sanctions for both the club and the player.
James, for his part, has tried to stay away from the media controversy. Recently, in an interview with The Athletic, the midfielder said that criticism is his “fuel” to perform on the pitch. However, in this case, the obstacle is neither athletic nor physical, but strictly bureaucratic.
Poor Management or a Routine Procedure?
Experts in sports immigration law suggest that such delays are relatively common in MLS due to the strict postpandemic controls. However, what Vélez questions is the alleged carelessness with which the process was handled, allowing the player to take part in team activities before receiving the “green light” from the State Department.
So far, neither Minnesota United nor James Rodríguez’s official circle has issued a statement denying the absence of the document. Meanwhile, the Colombian public watches with concern as the future of their biggest football icon once again comes under scrutiny-this time far from the pitch and under the lens of U.S. immigration authorities.
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