The Super Bowl halftime show has always been a fan favorite performance to watch. The glitz and glamour of the show is breathtaking, whether viewed on a television screen or seen live. Each year, celebrities find a unique way to make their halftime show stand out from those in the past. However, performances like Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime show raise an essential question as to why the Super Bowl has become a political circus and whether this trend will continue.
With the announcement of Bad Bunny’s halftime show performance, it is evident that this trend will continue for the 2026 Super Bowl. According to the New York Times, “Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, gave the clearest indication yet that agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would attend the Super Bowl in February [2026], where the Latin superstar Bad Bunny is scheduled to headline the halftime show.”
ICE raids have spread across the nation, detaining people from their homes to deport them from the United States (U.S.). According to The Guardian, a total of over 228,000 arrests, deportations, and detainments have taken place by ICE officers since President Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. Following these events, ICE being at the Super Bowl seems unnecessary to senior Olivia Santiago-Hall, who plans on watching the 2026 Super Bowl.
“How do we know that these agents are trained [correctly]? Do they have the right names? How do we know that people who grew up and lived in the U.S. all their lives are [going to] be affected by going to the Super Bowl? That feels like something that is taking away from the joy that everyone collectively has when it’s the Super Bowl,” Hall said.
Advanced Placement (AP) World History and Life Lab teacher, Ms. Ceja-Chau, is an avid Bad Bunny fan who plans to watch the 2026 Super Bowl. Chau comments on why ICE would be at the Super Bowl in the first place, although that will not stop Bad Bunny from representing his community.
“[ICE’s presence is a] fear tactic. I think that’s the main motivator and there’s genuine fear to be had with the government, saying that because a Latino is performing, they’re going to have more enforcement, which is very scary and real,” Chau said. “Fear is [ICE’s] biggest tool to stop us from fighting, from hoping and to stop us from living. That’s not going to stop him from being Bad Bunny. You can’t do that.”
During Bad Bunny’s 2025-2026 world tour, he made it clear that he would not be performing in the U.S. to protect his audience from ICE. By breaking this streak and performing at the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny is giving his fans what they have been longing for: a show that represents the Latinx community with pride and dignity. Bad Bunny has spoken out about social justice, which has been integrated into his musical persona. Chau recognizes the influence Bad Bunny has, regarding how politics have emerged in his artistry.
“The impact [of Bad Bunny performing] is so monumental. It’s the first of its kind, because for so long, [Latinx people] have been put into this category of [just] Latinx artists. He’s not just a Latino artist; he is a global superstar and the way he got to that is through his authenticity and his messaging, which has always been political. He’s never shied away from being or saying things that matter to him,” Chau said. “It’s like watching a family member make it this big because we look like [Bad Bunny]. We talk the [same] language, have an accent [which is why] it’s so big [that he is performing at the Super Bowl].”
Rapper and Grammy-winning artist Kendrick Lamar made headlines after his 2025 Super Bowl halftime show performance, which captured the current political climate of America. Chau explains how politics has always been present in sports in some capacity, yet has recently been represented most at the Super Bowl.
“We’re going to see this trend continue. It started with Kendrick Lamar’s performance last year, so I feel like it’s just going to continue, especially with everything else going on [in American politics]. It’s a big stage and platform to use your voice, to speak out on [issues] that matter. And I think with the artist’s choice, you’re just going to keep seeing this more,” Chau said.
The Latinx community has been fighting to protect their rights as citizens living in America following recent ICE raids and immigration rights. This issue goes beyond sports, fame or social media—it represents the day-to-day lives of so many Latinx individuals. Chau reflects on the oppression that the Latinx community has faced throughout history and how important it is to have artists like Bad Bunny perform on America’s biggest stage.
“This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen this in history, where they’ve used these kinds of tools and tactics to deport us. So we have to remember that we’ve continued to live, we’ve continued to resist and we continue to be here,” Chau said. “That is part of the hope that we see with Bad Bunny [performing] at the Super Bowl.”
