Senate subcommittee flags visa backlogs, staffing shortfalls and evolving threats ahead of World Cup and LA Olympics

A Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee hearing heard bipartisan warnings that visa backlogs, hiring timelines and evolving threats — including drones, improvised explosives and cyberattacks — could complicate security and travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Chairman James Lankford opened the hearing by saying visa processing delays are already a practical obstacle: “visa wait times for Colombian nationals are at 18 months,” he told witnesses, adding that applicants who apply now would likely receive approval after the World Cup ends. Lankford said similar delays exist for Costa Rica and Ecuador and urged faster action on processing and workforce capacity.

The scale of the events underpinned the committee’s concern. Reynold (Rey) Hoover, chief executive officer of LA28, said the games will span 49 competition venues, a coast‑to‑coast torch relay and a national footprint that he estimated will bring “nearly 15,000,000 spectators” and more than 11,000 Olympic athletes to venues in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and other host cities. Hoover reminded senators that the Department of Homeland Security designated the 2028 Games a national special security event and that the Secret Service is leading…