How football has helped immigrants make a home in the US

July 10, 2026

At Kennedy Park in Portland, Maine, immigrants and refugees from dozens of countries have built a supportive community around informal football matches that began in 2021. The sport has served as a unifying force and helped newcomers like George Lusolo from the Democratic Republic of Congo overcome language barriers and adjust to life in America. Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have severely disrupted this community, with families afraid to leave their homes and students missing weeks of school.

Who is affected

Immigrants and refugees from dozens of countries who play at Kennedy Park in Portland, Maine
George Lusolo, a 19-year-old asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Deji Kuribanza, an 18-year-old Congolese immigrant who arrived via Angola
Joel Andre, a 17-year-old football player, and his family who were detained by ICE
Students who missed weeks of school due to fear of ICE raids
Families across Maine's immigrant communities affected by ICE raids
At least 400,000 people arrested by ICE since January 2025 (according to the Migration Policy Institute)

What action is being taken

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is conducting raids and detaining immigrants
The Trump administration is implementing strict immigration policies during his second term
Joel Andre's family is fighting their asylum application case in US federal court

Why it matters

Football at Kennedy Park serves as a vital integration tool for immigrants and refugees, helping them overcome language barriers, build community connections, and adjust to life in a new country. The recent ICE raids demonstrate the vulnerability of immigrant communities and the tension between federal immigration enforcement and local integration efforts. The community's response—organizing grocery deliveries and legal advocacy—shows how informal networks can provide critical support during times of crisis, though it also highlights the psychological trauma and lasting impacts that immigration enforcement actions have on families, particularly young people like Joel Andre who may never fully recover from the experience.

What's next

Joel Andre's family will continue fighting their asylum application case in US federal court after their initial claim from DR Congo was denied and they were detained when attempting to seek asylum in Canada.

Read full article from source: BBC