Santa Clara: U.S. officials have clarified that the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not intend to carry out immigration enforcement operations connected to Super Bowl LX or the array of related events scheduled throughout Super Bowl Week in the Bay Area. This assurance was communicated by both National Football League and federal law enforcement representatives in statements released Tuesday ahead of the game set for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
At a press conference, the NFL’s head of security, Cathy Lanier, addressed mounting speculation by emphasizing that no official ICE raids or immigration enforcement activities are planned to coincide with Super Bowl festivities. Lanier confirmed that federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, are coordinating with local and state law enforcement partners to ensure safety and security for fans and participants but stressed that the focus remains on typical large-event security, not targeting individuals based on immigration status.
Department of Homeland Security agent Jeffrey Brannigan, who is overseeing interagency planning for the event’s security, reiterated that the federal presence this week is dedicated to supporting the broader safety infrastructure. Officials noted that planning for this year’s Super Bowl security began as early as 18 months ago and involves cooperation among dozens of federal, state, and local entities a collaborative effort consistent with preparations for major national and international events.
Authorities also confirmed that emerging technologies, including tools powered by artificial intelligence, will be part of the security toolkit although precise details about how these technologies will be deployed have not been disclosed. This reflects broader law enforcement trends toward integrating new technology into crowd management and threat detection systems at large-scale events.
The clarification comes amid heightened attention to U.S. immigration enforcement policies under the current administration, particularly after the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents during a separate operation in Minnesota late last month. Those incidents sparked nationwide protests and increased public scrutiny of ICE’s activities.
Campaigns and community groups in the Bay Area had expressed concern in recent days that federal immigration agents might use the Super Bowl as an occasion to conduct enforcement operations, especially in neighborhoods near official events. However, the memo from the Bay Area Host Committee to regional officials and the subsequent public statements from NFL and federal law enforcement officials sought to address those worries by confirming that any federal presence will align with standard security roles seen at prior Super Bowls and other high-profile gatherings.
While Homeland Security maintains that all actions during the event will adhere to constitutional protections and standard public safety protocols, some advocacy groups have continued to call for transparency and assurances that communities of immigrants are not subject to undue enforcement pressure during the festivities.
As millions of fans prepare to descend on the Bay Area for one of the biggest sporting spectacles of the year, officials are aiming to strike a balance between robust security and reassurance, underscoring that the Super Bowl should remain a celebration of sport, entertainment, and community rather than a flashpoint for broader political controversy.