NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expected to be present at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, next month, but the county sheriff has made it clear he will not support the agency.
Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen said Thursday that while authorities were there for residents and tourists who would come to town for the Seattle Seahawks-New England Patriots game, the department would not work to support ICE agents in immigration enforcement operations.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Demonstrators protest outside the federal building in response to a second shooting death by ICE and immigration agents in Minnesota, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“So I urge our federal partners, if you’re considering doing something in our community, please be transparent and reach out to your local officials so we can work as best we can,” Jonsen said during a news conference.
“It was mentioned that we are not going to change our policies or our protocols. We will not be working or supporting ICE Immigration Enforcement, but I want you to, again, remember that if you see us out there, we are here to help you and we will be there. Please feel free to reach out to someone in a uniform while these events are going on if they are walking around trying to engage and make sure you stay safe.”
At the same time, Jonsen said local law enforcement will be on hand to keep residents safe.
“We’re going to be there for you, side by side. So when you get off these trains, you get off these buses, yes, there’s a good chance you’ll see someone in uniform. But if they’re not masked, if they’re wearing beige and green or blue and black, believe me, they’re there for your protection. They’re there for your protection.
ICE OFFICIALS TO PLAY SECURITY ROLE AT MILAN CORTINA OLYMPIC GAMES
Footballs bearing the Super Bowl LX logo are pictured at the Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
“If they’re masked and they’re trying to hide their identity, then someone hasn’t communicated with us because we’ve made that very clear to our officers, our staff needs to be open and transparent and engaged in this community over the next few weeks and that’s our goal every day as well. We’ve spent decades building this community, building this trust. I’ve had conversations with many…over the last year, trying to give you as much information as possible about what we know is going to happen and when it’s going to happen and if it should happen, but without that communication we can’t.”
PK Press Club Digital has contacted ICE for comment.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin Yoho told TMZ earlier this week that agents would conduct law enforcement operations.
“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 any major sporting event, including the World Cup,” she said. “Our mission remains unchanged.”
DHS adviser Corey Lewandowski said last October that the app was a “directive from the president” and would not be suspended for the Super Bowl.
“There is nowhere you can provide sanctuary to people who are in this country illegally,” Lewandowski said on “The Benny Show” podcast. “Not at the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you and deport you. This is a very real situation.”
Federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Friday, January 23, 2026. (Jack Califano/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
President Donald Trump has said he will not attend the Super Bowl this year after being the first sitting president to attend last year.
