Bad Bunny Won’t Be Deported; He’ll Headline Super Bowl LX in 2026

(SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA) Bad Bunny will not be deported and remains fully eligible to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium. The Puerto Rico–born artist—legal name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—holds U.S. citizenship by birth. That single fact settles the legal question at the center of an emotionally charged debate: U.S. citizens cannot be deported under immigration law.

The NFL has confirmed him as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LX, and there is no official action that threatens his place on the stage.

Why the controversy flared and the legal reality

The renewed uproar began after his selection sparked pushback from some conservative commentators and political figures, including criticism tied to culture‑war themes and calls for deportation. Those demands carry no legal weight.

• In the United States, deportation is a process that applies to noncitizens only.
• People born in Puerto Rico are Americans at birth, and federal law makes that clear.
• For the legal text, 8 U.S.C. § 1402 states that people born in Puerto Rico are citizens of the United States; the statute is published by the U.S. House of Representatives and can be read on the official site at 8 U.S.C. § 1402.

Officials have also announced stepped‑up security and immigration enforcement around the Super Bowl, which is standard for an event of this size. Homeland Security adviser Corey Lewandowski has said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be active around Super Bowl operations. That has fueled confusion among some fans and performers, but enforcement attention is directed at people who lack legal status, not at U.S. citizens.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, political controversy has not changed his legal standing or his eligibility to perform.

Confirmations and the NFL’s choice

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation—now deeply involved in the league’s halftime show booking—have confirmed Bad Bunny as the headliner for Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.

The league’s choice reflects several factors:

• Global reach and record‑breaking streaming numbers
• Crossover appeal in both English and Spanish
• A nod to the Bay Area’s diverse audience and the Super Bowl’s status as the most‑watched entertainment event in the country

Reports that he weighed U.S. tour dates carefully due to concerns about ICE activity near venues relate to business and safety decisions, not legal barriers. Artists routinely change routing for safety, demand, and production reasons. None of that affects his ability to take the halftime stage.

Citizenship, Puerto Rico, and common confusions

For many Puerto Rican families, the social‑media claims reopened an old frustration: confusion about the status of people from the island. Key facts:

• Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory since 1898.
• People born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens by birth.
• They carry U.S. passports, can live and work in any state, may vote in presidential primaries, and can serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Residents of Puerto Rico cannot vote in the general presidential election unless they move to a state, but this political limitation does not affect citizenship.

In practical terms, anyone born in Puerto Rico has the same legal shield against removal as someone born in California or Texas.

“Citizenship by birth is firm, and documentation is straightforward.”
The official federal law is public and accessible, including on the U.S. House of Representatives’ website: 8 U.S.C. § 1402.

Why birth in Puerto Rico confers citizenship — and blocks deportation

• Puerto Rico’s status: A U.S. territory since 1898, subject to federal nationality laws. Congress granted citizenship to people born there through statute, which current law maintains.
• The statute: Under 8 U.S.C. § 1402, a person born in Puerto Rico and subject to U.S. jurisdiction is a citizen at birth. Legally, this class is treated like someone born in any U.S. state for immigration purposes.
• Deportation basics: Removal applies to noncitizens who violate immigration laws (e.g., entering without inspection, overstaying a visa, or committing certain crimes). Citizens are outside this system.
• Documentation: Common proof of citizenship includes a U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a state/territorial birth certificate. Puerto Rico issues birth certificates recognized by federal agencies.

Because the law is so plain, immigration attorneys view questions about Bad Bunny’s deportability as a teachable moment rather than a real case. Confusion often stems from conflating three separate issues: territorial status, voting rights in federal elections, and immigration enforcement.

Security plans and what ICE enforcement means for fans

Super Bowls draw large federal, state, and local security footprints. The Department of Homeland Security treats the game as a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) 1 event, which brings extra staffing and coordination.

• ICE’s presence is part of that broader umbrella and usually focuses on:
  • counterfeit merchandise,
  • human trafficking,
  • people with outstanding removal orders,
  • and work‑authorization checks for temporary event staff.

None of these activities changes the basic rule: a citizen’s right to live and work in the country does not hinge on Super Bowl operations.

For noncitizen attendees, routine advice applies:

1. Bring proper ID and any required immigration documents if traveling by air or entering secured zones.
2. If you are a lawful permanent resident, carry your green card.
3. If you hold a valid visa, carry your passport and I‑94 arrival record (digital copies can help but originals matter).
4. If you are undocumented, seek legal guidance before traveling long distances or crossing state lines for large events with heavy law‑enforcement footprints.

These tips do not affect Bad Bunny’s legal situation; they reflect how big events operate.

Politics, public reaction, and the cultural context

The political reaction has involved national figures. Some of President Trump’s allies cheered calls to replace the performer, while others close to President Biden rejected the framing and stressed inclusion.

• Neither the White House nor Congress can change a citizen’s status by statement or tweet. Citizenship is a legal condition backed by statute and the Constitution.
• Deportation proceedings involve statutory rules and due‑process rights before immigration courts—procedures that do not apply to citizens.
• The Department of Homeland Security does not open removal cases against U.S. citizens, and immigration judges do not have authority to remove them.

The controversy also highlights a broader cultural story: the growing place of Spanish‑language music in mainstream American life. Recent halftime shows have featured genre‑spanning acts, and Bad Bunny’s booking aligns with ratings logic—bringing in younger viewers and reflecting audience diversity. The NFL and its partners prioritize commercial reach (streaming data, touring strength, cross‑market appeal) over political signals.

Community impact and reassurance

Still, public statements can create fear among regular people. Reports of workplace raids, checkpoints, and state‑level immigration laws have raised anxiety for mixed‑status families. Rumors that a Puerto Rican star could be deported left some U.S. citizens from the island feeling erased.

Community groups from Orlando to New York report fielding calls from Puerto Ricans unsure about their rights. Legal advocates point them back to the core rule: citizenship by birth is firm, and documentation is straightforward. The federal statute is public and accessible at 8 U.S.C. § 1402.

Event planning and practical considerations for fans

For the NFL, the biggest practical consideration is event planning. Super Bowl LX requires months of logistics: stage builds, rehearsal windows, union staffing, security rehearsals, and travel schedules.

If you have tickets, here’s what matters:

• The halftime show remains on the schedule with Bad Bunny as headliner.
• Date and venue: February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
• Expect heavier security and plan extra time for screening.
• If you are a noncitizen, carry your documents. U.S. citizens can use standard IDs for travel and stadium entry where required.

For families watching at home, nothing about immigration law will change the TV broadcast. The halftime show is a private performance during a commercial event, not a government forum. While politics will swirl as usual, the legal footing here is unusually clear.

Bottom line

• Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico.
• Citizenship by birth removes deportation as a legal possibility.
• NFL planners have confirmed him as the Super Bowl LX halftime headliner.
• ICE may be active around the event for security and immigration checks that do not involve U.S. citizens.
• The debate over who “should” perform may continue politically, but immigration law does not enter that debate: citizens cannot be deported, whether they are world‑famous performers or everyday workers heading to a game.