Word of possible Immigration & Customs Enforcement presence for the Super Bowl on Feb. 8 has raised concerns, including at San Jose City College. While the National Football League has denied that ICE will be present, this has not prevented unease and speculation.

Christian, a 20-year-old SJCC student who declined to share his last name, was made aware of the planned ICE presence via social media. He described the feeling as “unsettling.”

“…I think you should be there to enjoy said events or anything like that,” he said. “You shouldn’t be scared, or you shouldn’t have to look over your back, whether or not you’re walking to or from the event.”

Lily Lingenfelter, a 19-year-old public health science major, thought that the Super Bowl would have lower turnout if ICE was present.

“I do know a lot of people are scared to go outside,” she said. “Maybe less people are going to go to the Super Bowl.”

A district-wide email was sent out on Jan. 30 because of concern that ICE would conduct operations unrelated to the game. The email instructs students and faculty not to interfere with immigration enforcement, but to instead call San Jose-Evergreen Community College District’s own police.

“Regarding SJECCD police involvement, they would be involved, but they will not assist federal agencies in any immigration enforcement,” said Ryan Brown, SJECCD’s public information officer. “Their involvement will be to make proper notifications … advise the college president as to the validity of any warrants or signed orders, and keep the peace on campus.”

Xiomara Martinez, Sí Se Puede’s supervisor, said that SJCC had taken steps regarding student safety on campus.

“We just had the Santa Clara County Rapid Response team here doing an informational session with us,” she said. “I mean, given everything that’s going on across the country, we can’t say that we’re exempt from it. But we do have our concerns for our students and we’re trying to keep as informed and connected to the community as we can.”

Martinez mentioned that help was available for students who needed it.

“I just want students to know that they have a safe space here, if they do feel concerns on campus, to let us know,” she said. “There’s mental health resources on campus, they can come talk to us about any of the concerns that they have.”