Italian Officials Oppose U.S. ICE Agents' Role in 2026 Winter Olympics Security

Italian officials have voiced strong opposition to the involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in security operations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala stated that ICE agents are "not welcome in Milan" due to concerns about their alignment with Italy's security policies.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security clarified that ICE's Homeland Security Investigations unit will support the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and Italian authorities to address potential threats from transnational criminal organizations. A spokesperson emphasized that "all security operations remain under Italian authority."

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met with the U.S. Ambassador to Italy to discuss the role of ICE agents during the Games, stressing that full sovereignty over public order remains exclusively in the hands of Italian law enforcement. He noted that ICE personnel will act as "liaison officers" rather than operational police with executive powers on Italian soil.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22, followed by the Winter Paralympics from March 6 to March 15.