The planned deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to assist with security at next month’s Winter Olympics in Italy has sparked a political firestorm across the country.
ICE and Border Patrol agents are set to support the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service at the Milano Cortina Games, running from February 6 to 22. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the agents’ role will focus on “vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organisations,” with all operations remaining under Italian authority.
The announcement triggered immediate criticism from Italian politicians, many of whom questioned the appropriateness of sending ICE agents given their controversial enforcement record in the U.S., including the recent shooting deaths of two American citizens in Minnesota.
Maurizio Lupi, a centrist coalition leader, called the deployment “sheer idiocy,” while Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, whose city is co-hosting the Olympics, labelled ICE “a militia that kills” and stated, “It’s clear that they’re not welcome in Milan.”
Rome’s government moved quickly to ease tensions. The Italian Interior Ministry confirmed that ICE personnel would operate solely within U.S. diplomatic offices, such as the Milan consulate, and would not patrol public areas. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has met with U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta and plans to address parliament on February 4 regarding the matter.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged calm, noting, “We’re not talking about the [ICE personnel] who were out on the streets of Minneapolis… It’s not as if the SS are arriving.” Meanwhile, Italia Viva, led by former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, said ICE agents “do not represent Italian values” and should be barred from the country.
Adding to the tension, the hard-left USB trade union announced plans for an “ICE OUT” protest in central Milan on February 6, coinciding with the Olympic opening ceremony.
ICE has previously participated in security operations at international sporting events, focusing on issues such as human trafficking and drug enforcement. U.S. officials emphasised that the deployment is routine and strictly diplomatic in nature.
