ICE Agents Bolster U.S. Security for Italy’s Winter Olympics
The upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy will see the involvement of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency to bolster security. This announcement has incited protests and backlash from various Italian officials and citizens, who have expressed their discontent regarding ICE’s presence.
ICE’s Role in Winter Olympics Security
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will assist the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service during the games, scheduled from February 6 to 22, 2026. According to ICE, the agency aims to mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations. However, they emphasized that all security operations would remain under the authority of Italian law enforcement.
Local Reaction
Italian officials and residents have voiced their opposition to ICE’s involvement. Milan’s leftist mayor, Giuseppe Sala, unequivocally stated that ICE is “not welcome” in the city. Sala described the agency as a “militia that kills,” and called for a rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.
European Parliament member Alessandro Zan also condemned ICE’s participation, calling it “unacceptable.” He highlighted concerns over human rights violations associated with the agency. Many in Italy distrust ICE due to its controversial history in the U.S., particularly following incidents involving the deaths of civilians during immigration enforcement operations.
Clarifications on ICE’s Role
Italian officials initially downplayed ICE’s involvement, claiming their support would focus primarily on the U.S. delegation’s safety. The president of Lombardy region, Attilio Fontana, clarified that ICE’s role would largely be defensive, specifically monitoring U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during their attendance at the opening ceremony.
Despite this clarification, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi asserted that ICE would not operate in Italy in any enforcement capacity. The Italian government appears cautious about ICE’s presence, reflecting widespread public unease.
ICE’s Background
ICE has been at the forefront of a strict immigration policy under President Trump’s administration. The agency is known for enforcement actions that have sparked significant protests across the U.S. Public outcry has intensified due to tragic instances involving civilian deaths linked to their operations.
Conclusion
As the Winter Olympics approach, the debate surrounding ICE’s involvement underscores wider tensions regarding U.S. immigration policies and their implications abroad. This situation will continue to evolve as both U.S. and Italian officials navigate security concerns and public sentiment leading up to the Games.
