The **2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show** has ignited a fierce political debate following the announcement that Puerto Rican superstar **Bad Bunny** will headline the event. Set to take place on February 8, 2026, at **Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California**, the performance is now at the center of a national conversation about immigration enforcement after a high-profile warning from a member of the Trump administration.
DHS Advisor Vows ICE Enforcement at Super Bowl LX
Corey Lewandowski, an adviser to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and former Trump campaign manager, confirmed that **Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)** agents plan to be present and active at the 2026 Super Bowl. Speaking on “The Benny Show” podcast, Lewandowski issued a stark warning to individuals residing in the country without legal status:
“There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you. We will apprehend you. We will put you in a detention facility, and we will deport you.”
Lewandowski emphasized that this aggressive enforcement strategy, which he described as “completely contrary to how it used to be,” is a **direct directive from the President** aimed at prioritizing American safety. He concluded his warning with a blunt message: “If you’re in this country illegally, do yourself a favor: go home.”
Bad Bunny’s Selection and Immigration Concerns
The controversy is fueled by the political activism of the three-time Grammy winner, Bad Bunny (born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio). His selection by the **NFL** was hailed by fans as a historic moment, bringing the global energy of Latin Trap and Reggaeton to the world’s biggest stage. Bad Bunny himself celebrated the opportunity as a win for his culture: “This is for my people, my culture and our history.”
However, Bad Bunny has previously been a vocal critic of ICE operations. Just last month, the artist told i-D Magazine that he was avoiding U.S. dates on his forthcoming world tour partly due to “very concerned” fears about **ICE raids** outside his concerts.
Lewandowski seized on the artist’s known stance to criticize the NFL’s choice, calling it “shameful” to pick someone who “just seems to hate America so much to represent them at the halftime game.” He argued the league should aim to be “inclusive, not exclusive” and choose entertainers who would be “bringing people together and not separating them.”
Super Bowl Stage Becomes a Political Flashpoint
The intersection of a major cultural event like the **Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show** and aggressive federal policy highlights the increasing politicization of public platforms. The Super Bowl, which drew a record viewership last year, is traditionally seen as a non-partisan showcase, but the 2026 performance is already shaping up to be a deeply divided cultural moment.
- **Venue and Date:** Super Bowl LX will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
- **Bad Bunny’s Commitment:** The Halftime Show is expected to be Bad Bunny’s **only U.S. performance** during his upcoming world tour, underscoring the significance of this show for his U.S. fanbase.
- **Official Response:** Following Lewandowski’s comments, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Friday that the administration has **”no tangible plan”** to deploy ICE agents at the Super Bowl, which introduces a layer of ambiguity to the adviser’s firm promises.
As the date approaches, the focus is split between Bad Bunny’s historic musical performance and the looming, highly controversial presence of immigration enforcement. The Super Bowl LX Halftime Show is set to be remembered not just for the music, but for the culture war it represents.
Keywords:
Bad Bunny Super Bowl 2026, ICE Super Bowl Enforcement, Corey Lewandowski, Halftime Show, Santa Clara, NFL, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Levi’s Stadium.
