US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will assist in security operations at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, a U.S. embassy source confirmed on Tuesday. The deployment of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division has sparked anger among Italian politicians and activists, who cite recent controversies surrounding the agency in the United States.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
ICE’s HSI unit will support the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service during the February 6–22 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina. The agents will focus on mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations, including human trafficking and drug trafficking, but will not conduct immigration enforcement in Italy. All security operations will remain under Italian authority.
Reports of ICE’s involvement emerged days before the Games, prompting backlash from Italian officials, including Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, who called the agency “a militia that kills” and declared ICE agents “not welcome” in Milan.
Deeper Dive & Context
ICE’s Role and Past Deployments
HSI has previously supported security at major international events, including past Olympic Games and the Super Bowl, as part of U.S. partnerships to combat transnational crime. A former U.S. official noted that HSI’s mission focuses on global threats, such as the illegal movement of people, weapons, and contraband.
ICE clarified that its operations in Italy are separate from its domestic immigration enforcement, which is carried out by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) department. The agency emphasized that it does not conduct immigration enforcement abroad.
Italian Political Reactions
Criticism in Italy intensified after reports that U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be protected by ICE agents during the Games. Milan Mayor Sala condemned the agency’s presence, citing its role in recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis, where two U.S. citizens were killed by ICE agents in separate incidents.
Italy’s interior minister, Matteo Piantedosi, initially downplayed concerns, stating that foreign delegations can choose their own security. However, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani sought to ease tensions, comparing the situation to past U.S. security deployments and dismissing fears of ICE’s involvement as overblown.
Broader Implications
The controversy highlights growing tensions between U.S. and Italian officials over law enforcement cooperation. While some Italian politicians argue that ICE’s presence undermines Italy’s sovereignty, others note that the agency’s role is limited to supporting U.S. diplomatic security.
ICE’s deployment also raises questions about the agency’s global reputation, particularly amid ongoing debates over its domestic enforcement practices. The agency has faced widespread criticism in the U.S. for its role in immigration crackdowns, including raids and deportations.
As the Winter Olympics approach, the debate over ICE’s involvement continues, with Italian authorities emphasizing that security operations remain under their control. The U.S. State Department has confirmed that multiple federal agencies will assist in security efforts, as is standard for major international events.