In a surprising intersection of sports, entertainment, and immigration policy, Department of Health Secretary Kristi Noem has made headlines following the NFL’s announcement that superstar Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. In a recent interview, Noem revealed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will have a significant presence at the event, underscoring a tense political atmosphere surrounding this year’s Super Bowl.
Speaking to conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Noem stated emphatically, “ICE will be all over that place.” Until this announcement, the Trump Administration had refrained from officially confirming ICE’s involvement. This move signals a stringent approach to immigration enforcement, especially during high-profile gatherings.
“We are going to enforce the law,” Noem asserted. “You shouldn’t be coming to the Super Bowl unless you are a law-abiding American citizen.” This declaration not only emphasizes the administration’s hardline stance on immigration but also reflects broader concerns about public gatherings becoming a focal point for activism and law enforcement measures.
Interestingly, the White House has chosen to remain silent on the NFL’s decision to have Bad Bunny, an artist of Puerto Rican descent, perform at the halftime show, which adds a layer of complexity to the conversation. In her interview, Noem didn’t shy away from criticizing the NFL, stating, “The NFL sucks and we’ll win. They are so weak. We will stand for America. They won’t be able to sleep at night. We’ll fix it…” Her comments made it clear that the administration views this cultural event through a lens of national identity and legal compliance.
For Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, the decision to perform at such a politically charged event was unexpected by many. The artist had previously expressed concerns about ICE’s presence deterring him from touring in the continental United States. Instead, he opted for a highly successful residency in Puerto Rico called “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” and is gearing up for an international tour starting in the Dominican Republic.
In an interview with i-D magazine, Bad Bunny articulated his feelings about the situation: “There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the US, and none of them were out of hate—I’ve performed there many times. All of [the shows] have been successful. But there was the issue of—like, fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
Initially, the Trump Administration’s response to Bad Bunny’s performance announcement was tepid. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that she wouldn’t disclose the president’s thoughts on the matter and that there was “no tangible plan” for ICE’s presence at the Super Bowl. However, Homeland Security advisor Corey Lewandowski stirred the pot by asserting that there would be no safe space for undocumented individuals at the Super Bowl. “We will find you. We will apprehend you. We will put you in a detention facility, and we will deport you,” he asserted on a podcast on Wednesday.
As the Super Bowl approaches, the cultural implications of Bad Bunny’s performance and the heightened presence of immigration enforcement will undoubtedly provoke further discussions and debates about identity, legality, and the intersections of arts and law. The event is set for February 8 in Santa Clara, California, drawing attention not just for the football championship but also for its broader societal ramifications.