Santa Clara city officials have reaffirmed their support for immigrant communities ahead of Super Bowl LX this weekend. The Santa Clara City Council unanimously approved a statement emphasizing its support for immigrants ahead of the Feb. 8 game at Levi’s Stadium, in case of increased activity from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal agencies. The council also passed a policy prohibiting the use of city property, such as parking lots or open spaces, for immigration enforcement. Residents erupted into applause after the council’s vote. City Manager Jovan Grogan said the policy will take effect immediately and city employees will begin installing signs at applicable public spaces. The city will also have template signs for private property owners, businesses and residents who want to impose similar restrictions. Councilmember Kevin Park introduced the policy at the council’s Jan. 27 meeting. He said residents have raised concerns about possible ICE action at the NFL championship game for months. He said it would be irresponsible for the city to do nothing about those concerns. “People have told me that we are the host city, and as the host city, we will probably get more scrutiny … therefore we should lie low,” Park told San Jose Spotlight. “But to be honest, it’s precisely for those reasons, because we are the host city, because people will be looking at us, that we should say something.” Santa Clara’s new policy is largely based on one passed by the San Jose City Council earlier this year banning ICE from using city property. Grogan and City Attorney Glen Googins stressed that the policy wasn’t completely tailored to Santa Clara’s needs due to time constraints. Grogan affirmed city employees will hold a presentation about “lessons learned” from the Super Bowl ahead of the six FIFA World Cup games this summer, so the policy may be revised. The council’s actions come amid conflicting information about ICE deployment to the game and mounting tensions against immigration enforcement activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and NFL security personnel said at a news conference Tuesday there will be no ICE agents at the game. However, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in October that ICE will be “all over” the Super Bowl, and one San Jose councilmember said he’s seen plans for dozens of agents to be deployed to Levi’s Stadium and the surrounding areas before the weekend. About 50 public commenters urged the council to pass the statement and policy, pointing to the federal administration’s history of inaccuracies amid the conflicting narratives. Many said they would feel safer knowing the city took a clear stance. “I know it’s been stated that the DHS said there’s no planned immigration enforcement operations for the Super Bowl, but just because something has not been planned from before does not mean they can’t just change their minds and plan something now,” Sameena Usman, government relations manager for the nonprofit Secure Justice, said at the meeting. While the NFL and DHS officials have repeatedly denied any planned ICE action, local representatives and advocates are preparing just in case. The Rapid Response Network, which documents and sends alerts about ICE activity, has dozens of new volunteers signing up every week, and local organizers have planned demonstrations against ICE throughout the week. Federal lawmakers have also expressed their opposition to ICE’s presence at the Super Bowl. Rep. Ro Khanna sent a letter signed by 21 California congressmembers to Noem’s office Wednesday demanding ICE not be deployed to the game. “Having ICE at the Super Bowl would undermine public safety, disrupt communities, and threaten the peaceful enjoyment this event should bring to the region and the nation,” Khanna wrote. “Members of Congress from California are united in a simple principle: public safety is built through trust, not fear.” Editor’s note: This story was originally published by San Jose Spotlight. ...read more read less