Next year’s FIFA World Cup will bring the world's biggest sporting event to 11 cities across the U.S. In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics.

Under normal circumstances, these events would draw millions of visitors, generate billions of dollars in tourism and showcase America on the world stage. But unless the U.S. changes course, we are likely to squander the opportunity, damaging both our economy and our global reputation.

Over 1 million fans traveled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. The 2024 Paris Olympics attracted about 1.7 million international visitors. The U.S. should be preparing for similar crowds, but it is instead throwing up barriers.

On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to apply “maximum” vetting to all visa applicants. In practice, that has meant more arrests, more detentions, more deportations and more horror stories of travelers

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