SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bad Bunny is coming to the Super Bowl in what is expected to be the only performance for his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour in the United States outside of Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican reggaeton artist was announced as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX Halftime show following his historic Puerto Rico residency that drew more than a half-million fans for his new album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”

But his performance is against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns and pushback on his selection. What is the significance of the Super Bowl’s first Spanish half-time performance, and what does it mean for the larger Latino community?

The Sacramento Bee spoke to German Cash, California state director of the Hispanic Federation, to get a better understanding of the cultural and political significance of the upcoming performance.

“Latino folks feel pride in being American and being part of this country and are then constantly facing attacks for that same pride and for those contributions,” said Cash in an interview with The Bee.

What is the Hispanic Federation? What does it do in California?

The Hispanic Federation is a national nonprofit organization with the mission to “empower and advance the Hispanic community, support Hispanic families and strengthen Latino institutions,” according to the organization’s website.

The Hispanic Federation operates in 43 states, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia and focuses on direct services, policy advocacy and providing resources to Latino-led and Latino-serving nonprofits.

In California the organization provides college mentorship and scholarship programs in Cal State Los Angeles which will be expanding to two more campuses Los Angeles Trade Tech Community College and Los Angeles Southwest College.

The organization focuses on policy advocacy and has made it a priority to push for oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies.

Last year, the organization served about 850,000 people through their hunger relief program.

“(The Hispanic Federation) is making sure to let folks know we’re here,” said Cash. “We’re here to support (Latinos), and not just in food assistance, but also making sure that you’re still part of the economy, that you’re contributing and that in these years go by, that you’re not losing potential skills and opportunities to contribute to the economy.”

What is the cultural and political significance of the Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance?

Cash said it is a point of pride to have Bad Bunny perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, both as a fan of the artist and as a member of the Latino community. However, ICE raids and the vulnerability of the Latino community nationwide has provided mixed reactions for many.

“It really encapsulates where we are as a country, where there’s this visibility around the Latino community where we’re having this moment to shine on a global stage,” said Cash. “Our culture, our music, even our struggle is being spotlighted, but there are no protections for our community.”

ICE has deported at least 8,250 people from California during the first nine months of 2025, according to Bee reporting. And as of Sunday, Jan. 25 ICE held 70,766 individuals in detention according to data by TRAC Immigration.

Cash said it’s wonderful to have a Puerto Rican artist performing in Spanish on a major stage and giving light to the Latino culture. But he highlights that this is at the same time Latinos are being targeted for speaking Spanish outside their homes.

Backlash and controversy

Bad Bunny launched his international “Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour” late last year. However, he has been vocal about his refusal to perform in the U.S. due to concerns about ICE agents targeting fans who attended his shows, according to CNN.

Following the NFL halftime announcement in October, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, said that she would send agents to the arena where Bad Bunny is set to perform, according to Them.

Turning Point USA, a conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced it would host its own halftime show called the “All American Halftime Show” giving attendees the option to vote on the genre that included country, worship music and “anything in English.”

Cash said it’s interesting that Turning Point USA felt the need to have a counter performance and call it the “All American Halftime Show.” For Cash, it is these kinds of counter reactions that contribute to the growing tension and unease that Latinos feel.

“We’re contributing in many different ways to this country — and they’ll take those contributions. But when it comes to anything cultural or trying to include (Latinos) with the American fabric, there’s a need for a counterpoint,” said Cash.

Latinos make up 40% of the California’s population and are the largest segment of the workforce, according to Cash. In 2024, the Latino population contributed $4 trillion in the nation’s gross domestic product.

Cash said despite the attacks on the Latino community, there are many stories of how Latinos are resilient.

©2026 The Sacramento Bee. Visit sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.