By Robert Haugh

Tonight and tomorrow, the Santa Clara City Council has special meetings addressing Super Bowl public safety issues and ICE-related matters. 

Tonight’s meeting (February 2) lists the following in closed session:

Threat to Public Services or Facilities — consultation with: City Manager Jovan Grogan, City Attorney Glen Googins, Chief of Police Cory Morgan (and/or their designees), Cathy Lanier, Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer for the National Football League (and/or her designees), and Jeff Brannigan, Super Bowl LX Federal Coordinator, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (and/or his designees).

Tomorrow’s meeting (February 3) lists the following topic:

Discussion and Possible Actions on a City Council Statement Related to Super Bowl Safety and Affirmation of Support for Immigrant Communities, and Policy Regarding Immigration Enforcement Activities within the City of Santa Clara

A proposed statement states in part:

“Major events such as the Super Bowl require extensive coordination among local, state, and federal agencies to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and participants. As part of this coordinated effort, multiple agencies will be present as a routine and precautionary measure to support event security, emergency preparedness, and response to credible public-safety concerns. We engaged in this level of coordination in 2016 for Super Bowl 50, and it is common for all major sporting events, including the World Cup matches that will take place in Santa Clara this summer.

Maintaining public safety and the enforcement of laws carries a profound responsibility to protect human life and uphold dignity, due process, and accountability. Strong communities depend on trust between residents and public institutions, and for these reasons, we have adopted a Resolution that Prohibits Use of City Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes and Related Policies to Provide Resources for City Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents.

During the Super Bowl and every day, the Santa Clara Police Department focuses solely on public safety and community protection. Our police officers do not engage in civil immigration enforcement. California state law reinforces this by prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

With respect to Super Bowl LX which will be played in Santa Clara and related events that will occur across the Bay Area, we appreciate recent statements by federal officials indicating that there are no plans for immigration enforcement or an ICE deployment connected to any of the events.

Standing with Santa Clara’s diverse and immigrant communities is not only an act of solidarity— it is a clear declaration of our values and a statement to future generations that we chose courage, fairness, and hope when it mattered most.We encourage residents and visitors to enjoy Super Bowl events responsibly and join us in standing with Santa Clara’s diverse and immigrant communities.

-The Santa Clara City Council”