• ICE agents from the U.S. will assist in security at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
• The involvement has sparked significant controversy and criticism from Italian officials.
• Milan's mayor called ICE "a militia that kills" and stated they are not welcome in the city.
• ICE emphasizes its operations will focus on security and will not involve immigration enforcement.
• The Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6-22, 2026.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that its agents will help with security operations for the Winter Olympics in Milan, which begin on February 6. This development has stirred considerable backlash among Italian officials, particularly after two recent fatalities involving ICE agents in Minneapolis. Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, characterized ICE as “a militia that kills,” and asserted that their presence is not welcome in Milan, highlighting the controversy surrounding the agency's actions in the U.S., according to aljazeera and India Times.

Sources from the U.S. Embassy in Rome have stated that ICE will support the Diplomatic Security Service by assessing risks related to transnational criminal organizations, emphasizing that all security operations will be managed by Italian authorities and that ICE will not conduct immigration enforcement activities while in Italy. This clarification comes as Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi expressed uncertainty about the agency's presence, reinforcing that security for the Games is an Italian responsibility, according to aa and bbc.

The outrage stems from a recent video showing ICE agents threatening Italian journalists during a reporting incident in Minneapolis, escalating tensions between Italy and the U.S. regarding ICE's controversial past. Sala questioned, “Could we ever say no to Trump?” reflecting his disapproval of cooperating with an agency perceived as operating outside democratic norms. Several political leaders and organizations in Italy have echoed Sala's sentiments, calling ICE’s involvement “unacceptable” and reminiscent of a “private police force,” according to scmp and reuters.

The local backlash is compounded by fears about U.S. policies on immigration and security, particularly in light of ICE's recent involvement in high-profile cases in the U.S. In response to protests, political factions in Italy are mobilizing against ICE's potential role at the Olympics, with demonstrations planned to coincide with the Games’ opening. The debate surrounding ICE's presence continues to grow, given the ongoing political tensions in both the U.S. and Italy, as reported by CBS News and Al Jazeera.