Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has warned undocumented immigrants to stay away from next year’s Super Bowl, pledging a visible presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at the event. Speaking on the “Benny Johnson Podcast” on Friday, Kristi Noem stated that “ICE will be all over that place,” emphasizing that attendance should be limited to “law-abiding Americans who love this country.”
Kristi Noem, a close ally of President Donald Trump—now serving his second term—asserted that her department is responsible for ensuring security at major national events, including the Super Bowl. “I have the responsibility for making sure everybody who goes to the Super Bowl has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave safely,” she said. “That’s what America is about.”
Kristi Noem remarks quickly ignited controversy, drawing concern from civil rights advocates who warned that the comments could foster fear among immigrant communities. Critics also noted that such a statement risks politicizing an event typically viewed as a unifying national celebration.
NFL’s Choice of Bad Bunny Adds Political Dimension
The controversy surrounding Kristi Noem’s remarks is further fueled by the NFL’s recent decision to select Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny as the halftime performer for the upcoming Super Bowl. The artist, who has previously criticized President Trump’s immigration policies, was announced as the headline act last week.
Bad Bunny has spoken openly about his apprehensions regarding performing in the United States, revealing that he excluded the country from his 2025 world tour due to fears of potential ICE raids. “It’s something that we were very concerned about,” he said in an interview with i-D Magazine last month.
Conservatives have been vocal in their disapproval of the NFL’s choice. Commentator Benny Johnson criticized the league, claiming Bad Bunny “has no songs in English,” while Secretary Noem added, “They [the NFL] suck, and we’ll win, and God will bless us.” Noem further suggested that the league “won’t be able to sleep at night” over its decision, casting the issue as a broader cultural divide over patriotism and American identity.
White House Seeks to Clarify Noem ‘s Declaration Enforcement Plans
Despite Kristi Noem’s forceful declaration, the White House sought to temper expectations regarding a formal ICE operation at the Super Bowl. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday that “there’s no tangible plan” for a mass immigration enforcement action tied to the event.
However, Leavitt reaffirmed the administration’s stance on border security and immigration law. “This administration is always going to arrest and deport illegal immigrants when we find them if they are criminals,” she said. “We’re going to do the right thing by our country.”
The mixed messages highlight the ongoing tension within the administration over how aggressively to pursue immigration enforcement during high-profile public gatherings. With the Super Bowl set to attract a global audience, the debate underscores the broader political struggle between cultural representation, security, and national identity in Trump’s second term.
