ICE Presence at Milan-Cortina Olympics Sparks Italian Outrage
Homeland Security Investigations will assist U.S. diplomatic security at the Feb. 6-22 Games, drawing condemnation from Milan's mayor and other Italian officials.
Overview
Homeland Security Investigations, an investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will support the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service at the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, U.S. embassy officials in Rome confirmed, covering Feb. 6-22.
The announcement triggered public backlash after reports first surfaced on Jan. 24, 2026, with Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala calling ICE "a militia that kills" in a Jan. 24 interview on RTL Radio 102 and saying agents are not welcome in Milan.
Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a Jan. 27 statement that HSI will "vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations" and that HSI does not conduct immigration enforcement in foreign countries.
Italian officials gave conflicting statements, with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi telling ANSA on Jan. 24 that he had not received confirmation but that foreign delegations decide their security, while Lombardy President Attilio Fontana initially said ICE would "only be here to watch over U.S. Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio" and then said he had no specific information.
Organizers said all security operations will remain under Italian authority and U.S. agencies typically support diplomatic security at international events, and Italian senators have formally requested clarification and assurances on compliance with EU privacy and cybersecurity standards.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a controversy over U.S. security presence, foregrounding Italian outrage and human-rights concerns while including U.S. denials. They emphasize inflammatory reactions and recent shootings to contextualize opposition, using choice placement of critical quotes and selective emphasis to shape readers’ perception of ICE as problematic abroad.
Sources (18)
FAQ
HSI is an investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It will support the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service by vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations during the February 6-22 Games.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala condemned ICE as 'a militia that kills' in a January 24 interview, stating agents are not welcome, sparking public backlash after reports surfaced.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi noted foreign delegations decide their security; Lombardy President Attilio Fontana initially limited it to protecting U.S. Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio but later claimed no specific information.
No, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated on January 27 that HSI does not conduct immigration enforcement in foreign countries and will focus on transnational crime risks.
Organizers confirmed all security operations remain under Italian authority, with U.S. agencies providing typical support for diplomatic security at international events.
History
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