In light of the recent shooting incident in Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security has released a statement concerning their involvement at the upcoming Super Bowl.
Anti-ICE demonstrations and sentiments have surged after the shooting of Alex Pretti over the weekend. This incident follows the fatal shooting of mother-of-three Renee Good by a federal agent just weeks prior.
Footage has emerged showing the 37-year-old ICU nurse being shot and killed following a brief encounter with federal immigration agents.
Several social media videos depict Pretti assisting a woman after she was pushed to the ground by agents. Subsequently, he was tackled by multiple agents and pepper-sprayed.
While still on the ground, Pretti was fatally shot.
Pretti’s parents have criticized Donald Trump’s administration for their depiction of events, describing them as ‘sickening lies’ and insisting that their son was holding and waving his cell phone, not his legally owned firearm.
The deaths of these American citizens have sparked outrage, with many accusing ICE of overreacting in both cases.
This has raised concerns about potential protests or tensions between ICE and federal agents, especially if they are heavily present at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8.
Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, provided a statement to TMZ regarding their safety measures for the event.
She stated: “The Department of Homeland Security 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.
“Our mission remains unchanged. Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.
“We will not disclose future operations or discuss personnel. Super Bowl security will entail a whole of government response conducted in-line with the U.S. Constitution.”
Last year, DHS adviser Corey Lewandowski emphasized that ICE would be present at the Super Bowl under a ‘directive from the president’.
During an appearance on The Benny Show podcast, Lewandowski asserted: “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.
“Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find and deport you. That is a very real situation.”