U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will assist in security operations during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, a U.S. embassy source confirmed on Tuesday. The agency's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division will support the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service, focusing on mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations. Italian officials, including Milan's mayor, have expressed opposition to ICE's involvement.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The U.S. embassy in Rome confirmed that ICE's HSI division will back U.S. diplomatic security at the February 6-22 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The agents will not conduct immigration enforcement in Italy but will focus on transnational crime threats. Italian authorities retain full control over security operations.
ICE's role was first reported by Italian media, prompting backlash from local politicians, including Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, who called ICE a "militia that kills" and stated the agency was not welcome in the city. The controversy follows recent ICE-related shootings in the U.S., including two fatal incidents in Minnesota.
Deeper Dive & Context
ICE's Role and Past Involvement
ICE's HSI division has previously supported security at major international events, including the Super Bowl and past Olympic Games. The agency's mission at the Winter Olympics will focus on vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations, such as human and drug trafficking.
A former U.S. official noted that HSI has been present at overseas Olympic Games in the past, though it is unclear whether the agency has participated in security operations during previous Winter Games. The State Department's Diplomatic Security Service typically leads the protection of U.S. citizens at international events.
Italian Political Reactions
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala was among the most vocal critics, stating that ICE's presence was unwelcome due to its association with controversial immigration enforcement in the U.S. "This is a militia that kills," he said, referencing ICE's role in recent fatal shootings in Minnesota. Other Italian politicians, including Lombardy region president Attilio Fontana, had speculated about ICE's involvement before the confirmation.
Italy's interior minister, Matteo Pantedosi, initially downplayed the controversy, stating that foreign delegations typically choose their own security. However, the backlash grew after ICE's role was confirmed, with some Italian officials suggesting the agency's presence could undermine the event's security.
U.S. Government Response
ICE emphasized that its operations in Italy would be separate from domestic immigration enforcement. "All security operations remain under Italian authority," the agency stated. The U.S. embassy in Rome confirmed that ICE's involvement was part of standard security protocols for protecting U.S. delegations at major international events.
The controversy has reignited debates about ICE's role in U.S. immigration policy, particularly following recent high-profile incidents involving the agency. While ICE has faced criticism for its enforcement tactics, supporters argue that its presence at the Olympics is necessary to counter transnational crime threats.
Long-Term Implications
The debate over ICE's involvement in the Winter Olympics highlights broader tensions between U.S. and Italian officials over security protocols and human rights concerns. While the agency's role is limited to supporting diplomatic security, the backlash underscores ongoing scrutiny of ICE's operations both domestically and internationally.
As the Olympics approach, Italian authorities and U.S. officials will likely continue to navigate the political and security implications of ICE's presence. The controversy may also influence future discussions about the role of foreign law enforcement agencies in international events.