Protesters Rally in Milan Against ICE Presence at Olympics
Hundreds protested Jan. 25 in Milan against ICE agents who will work in a control room, not on the streets, for the Feb. 6 Winter Olympics.
Overview
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Jan. 25 in Milan's Piazza XXV Aprile to demand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents leave ahead of the Feb. 6 Winter Olympics, organizers said.
The U.S. State Department said several federal agencies, including ICE, would assist the U.S. delegation, a deployment that triggered local backlash, records show.
The Department of Homeland Security said Homeland Security Investigations officers will operate from U.S. diplomatic facilities and will not conduct street enforcement, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said, a point protesters disputed.
Italy's security plan assigns more than 3,000 regular police, about 2,000 Carabinieri and over 800 Guardia di Finanza and expects about 3,500 athletes and some 2 million visitors, records show.
Left-wing groups called an 'ICE OUT' rally for Feb. 6 and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi is due to testify in Parliament this week, parliamentary records show.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a human-rights/anti-fascism protest, foregrounding protesters' emotive banners ("Ice = Gestapo") and quotes ("too terrible, evil man") and naming left-leaning organizations. Editorial choices — leading with demonstrations and vivid slogans while deferring the factual clarification about ICE’s different unit — amplify alarm despite contextual qualification.
Sources (11)
FAQ
ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers will operate from U.S. diplomatic facilities in a control room, providing analytical support and database consultations without street enforcement or operational powers in Italy.
Protesters, organized by groups like CGIL, ANPI, and the Democratic Party, accuse ICE of human-rights violations and argue its involvement sends the wrong message amid Italy's migration debates.
Italy plans to deploy over 6,000 officers including 3,000 police, 2,000 Carabinieri, and 800 Guardia di Finanza, with all territorial security under Italian control, plus drone surveillance, no-fly zones, and a 24-hour cybersecurity center.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected at the opening ceremony on February 6, with U.S. security including ICE support for the delegation.
Left-wing groups have called an 'ICE OUT' rally for February 6, the Olympics opening day, and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi will testify in Parliament.
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History
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