ICE to Deploy Agents at Super Bowl Amid Controversy Over Censorship Fears

ICE to Deploy Agents at Super Bowl Amid Controversy Over Bad Bunny's Halftime Show In a move that has sparked concerns over immigration enforcement and free speech, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to have a significant presence at the upcoming Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE agents will be "all over" the event. Noem made the announcement on podcaster Benny Johnson's show on Friday, stating that people should only attend the Super Bowl if they are "law-abiding Americans who love this country." The comment was in response to questions about Bad Bunny's performance during the halftime show. The Puerto Rican rapper has been critical of former President Donald Trump and had previously expressed concerns about ICE enforcement targeting his fans. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal critic of immigration policies under the previous administration. In an interview with El Nuevo Dia de Puerto Rico, he stated that he avoided touring in the mainland US due to fears of ICE raids on his fans. The deployment of ICE agents at the Super Bowl has raised concerns about the potential for immigration enforcement during a public event. Critics argue that such actions could have a chilling effect on free speech and create an atmosphere of fear among attendees. "This is a clear example of how immigration policy can be used to suppress dissent and silence critics," said Ramon "Tonito" Zayas, a civil rights activist. "The Super Bowl should be a celebration of American culture, not a platform for ICE to intimidate and harass people." Noem's comments have also sparked debate about the role of ICE in enforcing immigration laws at public events. While some argue that such actions are necessary to maintain national security, others contend that they create unnecessary tension and fear among attendees. The Super Bowl is scheduled to take place on February 12th at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The halftime show will feature Bad Bunny as the main performer. As the controversy surrounding ICE's presence at the Super Bowl continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the event and its attendees. *Reporting by Motherjones.*