DHS Secretary Noem Confirms ICE Presence at 2026 Super Bowl

Santa Clara, California – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed in a recent interview that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be present at the 2026 Super Bowl. This event, scheduled for February 8, 2026, will feature Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny as the halftime performer.

During an appearance on The Benny Show’s podcast with Benny Johnson, Noem emphasized her responsibility for ensuring the safety of attendees. “I have the responsibility for making sure everybody who goes to the Super Bowl has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave, and that’s what America is about,” she said. “So yeah, we’ll be all over that place. We’re going to enforce the law.”

Noem also mentioned that she believes only law-abiding Americans should attend the Super Bowl, stating, “I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country.” This comment follows criticism of the NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny, who has spoken out against past immigration policies under former President Trump.

Corey Lewandowski, a former campaign manager for Trump, echoed Noem’s statements, saying during the same podcast episode, “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you, we will apprehend you, and we will put you in a detention facility and deport you.”

Bad Bunny, known for addressing social issues in his music, shared his concerns about ICE in a previous interview. “There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate — I’ve performed there many times. All of [the shows] have been successful,” he stated, referring to his decision to avoid booking U.S. tour dates due to fears of ICE enforcement.

Reactions to the announcement of Bad Bunny as the halftime performer have been mixed, with some expressing concern about the implications for undocumented individuals attending the event. The artist described his upcoming performance as an opportunity to connect with his culture and supporters.

As the date approaches, discussions around enforcement and the intersection of politics and entertainment continue to unfold, igniting debates about immigration policies and their impact on events like the Super Bowl.