
NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier has addressed the mounting public concern over the potential involvement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Super Bowl LX. There have been rumors of the likely presence of the agency in the big game and related festivities.
In her media availability on Tuesday, Lanier clarified the position of the NFL regarding potential immigration enforcement operations tied to the Super Bowl events. This comes after weeks of speculation and political pressure demanding that the league exclude the agency from the security lineup.
“There are no planned ICE or immigration enforcement operations that are scheduled around the Super Bowl or any of the Super Bowl-related events,” Lanier said.
Cathy Lanier also gave details of the security agencies that are expected to work in ensuring safety at the Super Bowl LX event and related events in Santa Clara. The league will be working with several security outfits across the three tiers of governance for the marquee event.
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“Consistent with previous years, we’re supported by more than 35 federal, state, and local agencies,” Lanier said. “All of these agencies are here to ensure that the Super Bowl and the surrounding community are safe while we carry out all the fun activities around the Super Bowl.”
Cathy Lanier discusses partnership with the Department of Homeland Security
Last year, Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser to the Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem, noted that immigration personnel would be present at the Super Bowl. However, Cathy Lanier clarified that the partnership with the DHS doesn’t include ICE deployment.
“Our Department of Homeland Security, who has been our partner for more than 20 years now, is made up of more than 20 different departments, will send a variety of different agencies,” Lanier said.
“It does not include ICE, there is not ICE deployed with us at the Super Bowl, and I don’t believe there has been in the last several, but most of the other departments from the Coast Guard to many other agencies are here.”
Federal ICE agents, heavily armed and wearing masks, have been dispatched to several major U.S. cities amid President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement push. The fear of their presence in the Super Bowl has created significant public tension across the country.
However, Cathy Lanier’s reassurance has eased the worries among fans amid the widespread criticism of the agency. There’s been public outrage after two American citizens were fatally shot by federal officers during a sweeping operation in Minneapolis last month.