Olympic Ice Meets Political Fire: ICE Agents' Role At Milan-Cortina Games Triggers Backlash

Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 17:03 IST

ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations will aid US diplomatic security at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, sparking outrage from Italian leaders and residents.

(Credit: AP, Getty Images)

A branch of the controversial US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will play a role in security at next month’s Winter Olympics in Italy — a move that has ignited political outrage and sharp resistance from Italian leaders.

ICE confirmed on Tuesday that its investigative arm, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), will support US diplomatic security during the Milan-Cortina Games, scheduled for February 6–22.

The agency insisted its role is limited to vetting threats linked to transnational crime and stressed that all security operations will remain under Italian control.

But the clarification has done little to cool tempers.

ICE’s involvement comes amid widespread anger over the agency’s immigration crackdown in the United States, which has sparked protests and followed the recent killings of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37, on the streets of Minneapolis.

That context has made its Olympic presence deeply contentious in Italy.

Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala came out swinging, declaring ICE “not welcome" in the city hosting most ice events.

“This is a militia that kills," Sala said. “They are not aligned with our democratic way of managing security."

European Parliament member Alessandro Zan echoed the sentiment, calling ICE’s involvement “unacceptable" and accusing the agency of trampling human rights and operating outside democratic oversight.

Meanwhile, other Italian authorities initially appeared uncertain, and at times contradictory, about ICE’s role.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said ICE would not operate in Italy “as such," while Lombardy regional president Attilio Fontana later walked back comments suggesting the agency would help monitor visiting US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

ICE stressed that it will not conduct immigration enforcement abroad and that the protection of US citizens overseas falls under the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.

Still, the optics have proven explosive.

With ICE agents now linked — however indirectly — to Olympic security, the Games are shaping up to be shadowed by a fierce debate over human rights and sovereignty.

(with inputs from AP and AFP)

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