“NOT WELCOME IN MILAN”: ICE Agents to Attend Winter Olympics in Italy, Mayor Reacts Strongly

Agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be present in Italy during the Winter Olympic Games, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that these agents will not be involved in maintaining public order. Milan’s mayor has voiced strong opposition to the presence of ICE agents.

Some agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be in Italy during the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which begin in ten days. The information was confirmed to the press agency AFP by an ICE spokesperson, who emphasized that U.S. agents will have no authority in matters of public order or security.

It was specified that during the Olympics, the “Homeland Security Investigations” unit, ICE’s investigative branch, will support the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and cooperate with the host country in assessing and mitigating risks originating from transnational criminal organizations.

Tajani: Order and Security Are Solely Italy’s Responsibility

The Italian government is attempting to ease tensions following news of the U.S. agents’ arrival.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani stated that ICE will not carry out any public order activities.

“Security is guaranteed by Italy, and public order is maintained by our police, Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza. Sovereignty is not being ceded,” Tajani said, adding that international cooperation is standard practice during major sporting events.

According to him, U.S. officials will work in a joint operations room alongside representatives from other countries.

“They are unarmed, do not conduct inspections, and have no executive authority. This is about cooperation, not intervention,” the Italian foreign minister stressed.

Interior Ministry: ICE Does Not Operate on Italian Soil

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi also confirmed that ICE, as an agency, will not operate in Italy.

“Law and public safety on Italian territory are guaranteed exclusively by the Italian state,” Piantedosi said, announcing a meeting with the U.S. ambassador for further clarification.

According to the U.S. embassy in Rome, as with previous Olympic Games, multiple federal agencies support the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service, but all activities remain coordinated with the host country’s authorities.

Political Reactions and Milan Mayor’s Opposition

Despite official explanations, reactions among the Italian public have been sharp. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala stated that ICE agents are a “militia that kills and violates human rights” and said they “are not welcome in Milan.”

His remarks have sparked protests from opposition parties and civil society organizations. An online petition has also been launched, calling on the government and Olympic organizing committee to exclude ICE’s institutional presence. The petition has already been signed by over 15,000 citizens.

Government: Controversy Is Political Instrumentalization

The government has described the controversy as unfounded.

“People with long guns are not patrolling the streets, they are not making decisions, they are not conducting inspections. These are a few officials cooperating within international frameworks,” Tajani said.

He emphasized that the security of the Olympic Games is entirely in the hands of Italian institutions.

“Either people know what they are talking about, or they are acting emotionally. This is not the Minneapolis street police, and I was the strictest on that matter. SS forces are not coming to Italy,” Tajani added.

With the Games set to begin in just ten days, the question of security has become one of the key political issues.

Confirmation from the United States has put an end to speculation, but not to ongoing debates in the Italian public sphere.