Italy’s Winter Olympics security plan keeps ICE in advisory role

A unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will participate in security for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, sparking controversy. ICE confirmed that its Homeland Security Investigations division will support the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service by vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations, with all security operations remaining under Italian authority. Speculation about ICE's involvement grew after reports that ICE agents would protect U.S. officials, including the Vice President. The deployment has drawn criticism due to ICE's immigration enforcement record and recent fatal shootings in the U.S., with some Italian officials and parties expressing opposition and launching petitions to block ICE's participation. Concerns center on ICE's alignment with Italian democratic security methods and human rights standards.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has publicly criticized the involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in security operations for the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, calling the agency unwelcome. The controversy stems from ICE's role in supporting the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and Italian authorities in vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations during the Games, which begin on February 6th. Sala's strong opposition is rooted in ICE's controversial reputation for immigration enforcement in the U.S. ICE maintains that its operations in Italy will be separate from domestic immigration crackdowns and under Italian authority. The U.S. embassy in Rome confirmed that ICE agents would support diplomatic security but not conduct immigration enforcement.

A branch of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), will assist with security for the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy, sparking controversy. ICE confirmed its role on Tuesday, stating it will support the US Department of State and Italian authorities in vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations. HSI investigates the illegal movement of people, goods, and weapons. All security operations will remain under Italian authority. It is currently unknown if HSI has been involved in past Olympic Games.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is sending agents to Italy to support American security operations during the Winter Olympics, which begin on February 6th in Milan-Cortina. This decision has sparked anger and alarm in Italy, particularly after recent fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Minneapolis and threats against Italian journalists covering the agency's actions. Italian officials, including the mayor of Milan, have expressed concerns about the presence of ICE agents. While ICE states its role is to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations in support of the State Department, and that it will not conduct immigration enforcement, the deployment has raised questions about the extent of US security involvement in the Games.