NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The NFL ended weeks of speculation Tuesday about possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations taking place at the Super Bowl in California this weekend.
NFL Security Chief Cathy Lanier spoke at a news conference ahead of the big showdown between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks to confirm that federal agents will not conduct immigration enforcement operations at Super Bowl LX, which will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday.
NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy L. Lanier speaks during the Super Bowl LIX public safety press conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The event took place in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 3, 2025. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“There are no planned ICE or immigration enforcement operations scheduled around the Super Bowl or any of the Super Bowl-related events,” Lanier said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
The news comes after a report from Washington Post On Monday he confirmed the same.
The presence of federal agents at Levi’s Stadium has not been completely ruled out, which led to pressure on the league to confirm whether that presence would be related to any immigration control operation.
Department of Homeland Security official Jeff Brannigan arranged a series of private calls with local officials and the NFL, in which he indicated that ICE does not plan to take any law enforcement action during Super Bowl week or during the game, The Associated Press reported, citing sources.
Defenders hold signs during a demonstration at NFL headquarters to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s planned operations for Super Bowl LX. The event took place in New York, New York, on February 3, 2026. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for MoveOn Civic Action)
NFL’S ROGER GOODELL BELIEVES BAD BUNNY ‘UNDERSTAND’ SUPER BOWL LX PLATFORM MEANT TO COME Amid ICE PROTECTION
DHS agents will be present, but in a statement to The Post, Undersecretary Tricia McLaughlin said the focus will be on security, as it has been at previous Super Bowls and sporting events.
“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 all major sporting events, including the World Cup. Our mission remains unchanged,” McLaughlin said. “We will not disclose future operations or discuss personnel. Super Bowl security will involve an entire government response carried out in accordance with the United States Constitution. Those who are here legally and are not violating other laws have nothing to fear.”
Tuesday’s confirmation contrasts with previous comments made by the administration about possible operations around the Super Bowl. In October, DHS official Corey Lewandowski indicated that ICE agents could be conducting immigration checks in the game.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during his State of the NFL press conference on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Jose, Calif., prior to the Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Matt York)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
“There is no place where safe haven can be provided to people who are in the country illegally, not at the Super Bowl or anywhere else,” he said at the time.
Tensions over ICE operations in Minneapolis have reached the Super Bowl. Bad Bunny, this year’s halftime performer, criticized ICE while accepting an award at the Grammys on Sunday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday that he believes the artist understands the power of the Super Bowl performance “to bring people together and to be able to bring people together.”
