US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is set to assume a narrowly defined security support role for the American delegation attending the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, a decision that has generated political pushback in Italy and reopened debate about the agency’s expanding influence during President Donald Trump’s tenure. The move has drawn attention both because of ICE’s controversial reputation and because of the sensitive nature of deploying US federal agencies on foreign soil during high-profile international events.
According to sources at the US Embassy in Rome quoted by The Associated Press, ICE agents will be deployed strictly in a support capacity. Embassy officials clarified that the agents will assist diplomatic security teams assigned to protect members of the US delegation and will not take part in immigration enforcement or broader security operations in Italy. They emphasized that ICE personnel will not have any authority over Italian law enforcement or public order during the Games.
US officials also stressed that such deployments are not unusual. In past Olympic Games, various US federal agencies have contributed personnel to support American delegations. Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative wing of ICE, has previously taken on similar responsibilities. These deployments fall under the wider role of the US Department of Homeland Security, which routinely provides security assistance at major international events involving senior US officials.
The State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service regularly sends officers to global events such as the Olympics, and other agencies have also been involved in the past. During the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, for instance, Transportation Security Administration officers assisted with airport screening operations in response to increased visitor traffic and elevated security risks, demonstrating the breadth of US inter-agency involvement at such events.
Despite these precedents, ICE’s planned presence has triggered strong opposition in Italy, particularly from Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala. Speaking to RTL Radio 102, Sala sharply criticized the agency, referencing images of masked ICE agents operating during protests in Minneapolis. He described ICE as violent and intrusive, accusing it of entering people’s homes under questionable authority, and stated unequivocally that such an organization was not welcome in Milan, which will host most of the ice sports during the February 6–22 Winter Games.
Public criticism in Italy has been further fueled by recent incidents in the United States involving ICE. Italian state broadcaster RAI aired footage showing ICE agents allegedly threatening to smash the window of a vehicle carrying journalists who were covering immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. The broadcast intensified concerns in Italy about the agency’s conduct and reinforced negative perceptions of its tactics.
The confirmation of ICE’s role also prompted mixed and sometimes contradictory responses from Italian authorities. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi initially said he had not received official confirmation of ICE’s deployment but added that he did not see an inherent problem with it. Shortly afterward, the Interior Ministry clarified that US officials had not yet formally confirmed the composition of the American security detail and that, for the moment, there was no indication that ICE would act as an escort for the US delegation.
The American delegation attending the opening ceremony on February 6 will be led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. ICE’s involvement comes amid heightened scrutiny of the agency following controversial operations in Minneapolis, where RAI also broadcast video of ICE agents confronting journalists during enforcement actions.
Reports from the United States suggest that over the past three weeks, federal officers in Minneapolis have allegedly shot and killed two protesters during demonstrations linked to deportations and immigration enforcement. These incidents have intensified domestic and international criticism of federal law enforcement tactics and raised questions about the growing scope of immigration-related operations.
Within the US, ICE’s expanding role has sparked protests in several cities, particularly after high-profile enforcement actions led to widespread demonstrations and a heavy federal response. President Trump has warned that he could invoke the Insurrection Act if unrest escalates further, while the US military has stated that troops are on standby should they be requested to assist.
Although immigration enforcement remains a cornerstone of Trump’s political agenda, recent opinion polls indicate a decline in public approval of his handling of the issue. Democratic lawmakers have pointed to increasing public unease over the scale and style of enforcement, calling for stronger oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies.
As preparations for the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics continue, both US and Italian officials are working to ease tensions and clarify responsibilities. Italian authorities have reiterated that overall security and public order during the Games will remain firmly under Italian control, while US officials continue to emphasize that ICE’s role is limited strictly to the protection of American personnel and does not extend to immigration enforcement or public security activities in Italy.
