Dallas Secures $51M for World Cup, Rejects Immigration Program

0:00It's March 25th. This is Dallas News today, local news powered by AI. Dallas is gearing up to host nine matches for the 2026 World Cup. The most of any venue with a big boost from a 51.5 million dollar grand from FEMA. The funding cover security upgrades like extra personnel, new equipment, and drone technology to keep fans safe during the games in North Texas. Out of that grand, $22 million goes toward officer salaries and overtime for critical operations. Another $1.3 million buys things like $880,000 worth of cameras, both fixed and mobile, plus portable. Barricades for crowded spots and a couple of new police vehicles. Police chief Daniel Camo shared these details in a recent briefing, stressing they'll have plenty of officers on duty without giving exact numbers. For safety reasons, he's excited for the city and region to shine on the world stage with his huge event. Meanwhile, the department turned down a $25 million offer

1:03to join a federal immigration enforcement program last fall. They're also sending a team to Mexico later this month for a playoff tournament to study security setups just like they did before the Qatar World Cup. Dallas plans to use the $10 million for drone defenses, not just for the tournament, but as a long-term tool. The World Cup starts June 11th in Mexico City, with North Texas kicking off June 14th when the Netherlands faces Japan, setting the stage. For an unforgettable summer.