ICE Retreats on Super Bowl Patrol Plans Amid Public Backlash

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appears to have reversed its earlier decision to patrol the Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. According to unnamed sources cited by TMZ, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will not deploy federal agents for immigration operations during the event. This decision marks a significant shift from previous statements asserting that ICE agents would be present at the game.

The reported change comes in response to public sentiment regarding ICE’s operations. A recent poll conducted by Fox News revealed that nearly 60 percent of respondents considered ICE’s tactics “too aggressive.” Only 24 percent felt that the agency’s level of aggression was appropriate. Federal agents typically attend major events like the Super Bowl to collaborate with local law enforcement, focusing on security and addressing concerns such as human trafficking, which often rises during large gatherings.

DHS’s decision to limit ICE’s presence at the Super Bowl may also reflect the backlash following the recent fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. This incident has drawn widespread criticism, contributing to a decline in public support for ICE. Another survey conducted by YouGov indicated that more than half of respondents expressed “very little” or no confidence in the agency.

The timing of this shift is particularly critical for Republicans, as the Senate recently failed to pass a funding bill that included provisions for DHS immigration officers. Senate Democrats have insisted on reforms to ICE and other immigration agencies before approving any funding.

DHS Assistant Secretary Trish McLaughlin withheld confirmation regarding the specifics of federal agent operations during the Super Bowl, stating, “DHS is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the Super Bowl is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the World Cup. We will not disclose future operations or discuss personnel. Super Bowl security will entail a whole-of-government response conducted in-line with the U.S. Constitution.”

The Super Bowl has increasingly become a focal point for political discourse, particularly due to its entertainment lineup. Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican superstar, is slated to perform during the halftime show, a choice that has drawn criticism from former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Trump described the selection as “a terrible choice” that “sows hatred,” despite claiming he had no prior knowledge of the artist.

As the event approaches, the evolving situation regarding federal agency presence underscores the complexities surrounding security and immigration enforcement in such high-profile contexts. The Independent has reached out to the DHS for further comments regarding their operations during the Super Bowl.