DHS Confirms Super Bowl Security Role

Federal officials confirmed the Department‍ of Homeland security⁢ will participate in security for Super Bowl LX, less than two weeks away in the Bay Area.⁣ This is a standard practice for major sporting events, but comes amid viral reports and ⁢increased national tensions raising concerns about potential immigration enforcement tied to the game.

DHS stated it will be involved in Super Bowl ⁣security but ⁣didn’t specify which ‍personnel or operations will ‍be deployed. This lack⁢ of detail has prompted local questions about whether immigration enforcement ‍will be part of the federal role, despite the department’s⁣ established history in large-scale event security.

Assistant Secretary Tricia mclaughlin said DHS “is⁢ committed to working with our local and federal ⁢partners to ensure the Super Bowl is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the World Cup.” she emphasized,”Our mission remains unchanged.”

McLaughlin declined to discuss specific operations or personnel, but assured the public that Super Bowl security will be a “whole of government⁣ response conducted in-line with the U.S. Constitution.” She added, “Those who‍ are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.”

DHS, including agencies like Customs and Border Protection and immigration and Customs Enforcement, routinely provides security for major events. In 2023, the department sent 600 personnel, ‍including ICE and CBP‍ agents, to Arizona to⁢ support Super Bowl LVII security.

Juliette Kayyem, a former DHS assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs‍ under President Obama, noted that federal ‍involvement at the Super Bowl wouldn’t typically draw scrutiny⁣ outside of the Trump era. “It would be obvious to have DHS,” Kayyem said. “There are things the federal government can do that state⁣ and local agencies can’t.”

She explained that the Coast Guard would ⁢protect waterways near the stadium,and DHS investigates crimes that frequently enough increase during major events,such as child exploitation and human trafficking. Kayyem doesn’t anticipate⁤ widespread immigration raids,suggesting ICE involvement would likely be limited to targeted ⁣enforcement related to existing investigations.

However, current political tensions have complex the situation. “You⁣ can’t even say DHS now without a political overlay,” Kayyem said.