Controversial Pro-ICE Billboards Ignite Debate in Lead-Up to Super Bowl

In the vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco, where the city is abuzz with the arrival of thousands of NFL fans for the Super Bowl, tensions have been stoked by the appearance of pro-ICE billboards. These advertisements have sparked a heated debate in a city known for its progressive values.

The billboards, strategically positioned in the lively Fisherman’s Wharf area at the intersection of Jefferson and Mason, have drawn the attention and ire of both locals and visitors. The ads were initially shared on social media by ‘American Sovereignty’, an account advocating for reinforced border security, the cessation of trafficking and cartel exploitation, and the closure of legal loopholes that allegedly encourage unlawful entry.

Local residents and visitors alike have expressed their discontent with the messaging. Kim, a visitor from St. Louis, voiced her opinion to the Daily Mail, saying, “It’s really unnecessary. If you’re already an American, you’ve already formed your opinion about ICE, and that billboard is a waste of money. It isn’t going to make anyone change their mind one way or the other.”

Her husband, Mark, echoed her sentiments with a direct response, stating, “I get angry when I see anything about ICE.”

Similarly, Anastasia Ray and Tyler, who traveled from Phoenix, found the presence of the billboards distasteful. “That seems absolutely disgusting,” they remarked. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire time people were targeted while flying in just for the event. I mean, that’s disgusting.”

As the city hosts a major sporting event, the billboards have added an unexpected layer of controversy, highlighting the ongoing national debate around immigration and border policies.

Three pro-ICE billboards have gone up in San Francisco ahead of next week’s Super Bowl

The billboards are located on the intersection of Jefferson and Mason in Fisherman’s Wharf

It comes amid rising tensions just days before thousands of NFL fans arrive for the Super Bowl

Furious people stopped to give their thoughts to the Daily Mail ahead of the Super Bowl

Susan Holder, an American citizen originally from Peru, told Daily Mail: ‘What ICE is doing right now, that’s completely illegal. I’m not going to agree with that.

‘Of course, illegal people, is a big mistake to continue living in this country. But it’s too many people, hard workers, who are being deported. Families that have been separated. Kids. I don’t think that’s fair.’

One of the football-themed billboards shows a law enforcement officer holding a trophy aloft with the words ‘Defensive Player of the Year: ICE’.

The billboard is split in half on the second with a picture of a football team on the left and the words: ‘They can’t win without defense’. On the right, alongside a picture of ICE agents, it says: ‘Neither can America’.

The third and final billboard shows a picture of officers in front of Trump’s wall and says: ‘Cheering because the home team finally started investing in defense.’ 

The Trump administration is expected to send ICE agents to the Bay Area ahead of the Seattle Seahawks’ clash with the New England Patriots on February 8.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem previously vowed ‘we’ll be all over that place’ while a DHS official this week warned: ‘Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.’

The Super Bowl heads to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara amid heightened tensions across America following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which came two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot in her car by an ICE officer.

ICE agents will not be patrolling around Levi’s Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday, reports claim

Secretary of homeland security Kristi Noem previously said: ‘We’ll be all over [the Super Bowl]’

Their deaths have sparked widespread protests, with some in the Trump administration accusing local officials of not doing enough to support federal law enforcement and even heightening tensions. 

This week, Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen stoked the fires by revealing his forces won’t help ICE with their crackdown. 

‘We will not be working or supporting ICE Immigration Enforcement,’ he told a news conference on Thursday.

‘I urge our federal partners, if there’s something that you’re planning to do in our community, please, please be transparent and reach out to your local officials so we can work as best we can.’

Jonsen attempted to reassure fans in the Bay Area, telling them: ‘If you see us out there, we’re there to help you and we will be there. Don’t hesitate to contact someone wearing a uniform as these events unfold if they’re walking around trying to engage and make sure you remain safe.’

He continued: ‘We are going to be here for you, side-by-side. So, as you’re getting off those trains [or] those buses… [there is a] high probability you’re going to see somebody in uniform. 

‘But if they’re not masked, if they’re wearing tan and green or blue or black, trust me, they’re there for your protection. They are there for your protection.’

Reports on Thursday claimed there are no plans for ICE to carry out operations at Levi’s Stadium or at NFL-sponsored events in the build up to Super Bowl Sunday. But DHS told TMZ that their plans to be on the ground around the Super Bowl had not changed despite unrest in Minneapolis. 

Last year, meanwhile, Trump ally Corey Lewandowski warned: ‘There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally, not the Super Bowl, and nowhere else.’

Super Bowl LX between the Patriots and Seahawks will take place in Santa Clara, California

He continued: ‘We will find you, we will apprehend you, we will put you in a detention facility and we will deport you.’ 

Noem even urged people to avoid the Super Bowl ‘unless they are law-abiding Americans who love this country,’ adding: ‘We’ll be all over that place… we’re gonna enforce the law.’ 

And earlier this week DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said: ‘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 every major sporting event, including the World Cup.’

But there are concerns among local officials that the presence of ICE could ‘increase the level of tension and fear in our area.’ 

Peter Ortiz of the San Jose city council told the San Jose Spotlight: ‘We’re already seeing that they are scared to go out to eat, scared to go to the local corner store, scared to send their kids to school.’

President Trump has said he will not attend this year’s Super Bowl, having also slammed the decision to choose Bad Bunny for the halftime show. 

The Puerto Rican artist previously cited ICE agents as a reason he did not include any mainland US dates for his tour.