ICE agents roped in for security at Winter Olympics, Milan Mayor says not welcome

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement will play a limited security support role for the American delegation at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, a move that has sparked political opposition in Italy and renewed debate over the agency's expanding reach under President Donald Trump.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are set to play a limited security role during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, according to sources at the US Embassy in Rome, reported The Associated Press quoting embassy officials.

Federal ICE personnel will support diplomatic security details for the US delegation, the officials said, and will not conduct immigration enforcement or operational security in Italy. Similar roles have been carried out by US federal agencies at previous Olympic Games, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative arm of ICE.

ICE’s participation falls under the broader framework of the US Department of Homeland Security providing security at major international events. The State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service also routinely deploys officers to events like the Olympics. For example, during the 2016 Rio Olympics, Transportation Security Administration officers helped with airport screening due to increased visitors and potential security threats.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala voiced strong opposition to ICE’s deployment, citing images of masked agents in Minneapolis during protests. “This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,” Sala told RTL Radio 102. Milan will host most ice sports during the February 6–22 Winter Games.

The backlash in Italy has been amplified by recent incidents involving ICE in the United States. In recent weeks, footage aired by Italian state broadcaster RAI showed ICE agents threatening to break the window of a vehicle carrying journalists reporting on immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. The episode added fuel to criticism of the agency’s tactics and conduct.

The confirmation of ICE’s role sparked conflicting statements from Italian authorities. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he had not received formal confirmation of ICE’s deployment but added, “I don’t see what the problem would be.” The Interior Ministry later clarified that while U.S. officials have yet to confirm the makeup of the security detail, “at the moment there are no indications that ICE USA will act as an escort to the American delegation.”