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Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers are confirmed to be conducting lively enforcement operations round Tremendous Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. As reported by Fox Information, the hassle is anticipated to be extremely seen round Levi’s Stadium, the place the New England Patriots are scheduled to face the Seattle Seahawks.
This presence will not be being framed as routine safety. The story gained traction after federal officers confirmed the enforcement exercise would proceed in the course of the recreation, signaling an unusually direct federal posture at one of many nation’s largest sporting occasions.
Officers have emphasised that the operations are tied to broader federal immigration enforcement reasonably than the Tremendous Bowl itself, however the timing and visibility have made the state of affairs stand out in comparison with earlier years.
This 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl safety comes with unmistakable political weight
The enforcement push traces again to a White Home directive that, in response to DHS advisor Corey Lewandowski, wouldn’t be paused for the Tremendous Bowl. Talking in October, Lewandowski stated there could be no protected havens, together with main sporting occasions, and warned that these within the nation illegally may count on enforcement actions, a stance not in contrast to the stress round Trump’s latest Reality Social conflict with California management over nationwide coverage.
Whereas the rhetoric was forceful, DHS officers have additionally tried to reassure the general public. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin Yoho stated the division is working with native and federal companions to make sure security, including that people who’re within the nation legally and never breaking different legal guidelines don’t have anything to concern. She additionally said that operations could be performed consistent with the U.S. Structure, although the expanded federal presence stays noticeable.
President Trump won’t be attending the sport, regardless of having been current at Tremendous Bowl LIX final 12 months in New Orleans. He reportedly informed sources that California was too distant, whereas additionally suggesting that the Tremendous Bowl viewers helps him. The administration’s broader political battles echo latest debates over nationwide management route and technique in Washington over Europe Commerce deal being delayed.
As an alternative, the president has targeted his consideration on criticizing the occasion’s leisure lineup. He has publicly criticized each halftime headliner Dangerous Bunny and pre-kickoff act Inexperienced Day, singling out Dangerous Bunny as an particularly questionable alternative and saying he was unfamiliar with the artist.
Dangerous Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has beforehand spoken about issues associated to ICE enforcement. He has stated these issues influenced his choice to do a residency in Puerto Rico, citing fears that ICE may very well be current outdoors concert events in the US.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed backlash over the halftime choice in the course of the league’s October 2025 Fall League Assembly. He defended the selection by pointing to Dangerous Bunny’s world recognition, stating that the league goals to characteristic main entertainers on one in all its greatest phases.
