Outrage in Italy Over US ICE Agents' Deployment for Winter Olympics

Mon Feb 02 2026 17:42:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The planned dispatch of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the Winter Olympics in Italy has sparked significant backlash, raising concerns about security and sovereignty.

As the Winter Olympics approach, the US government's decision to send ICE agents to Italy has caused alarm among Italian officials and citizens. Concerns have been fueled by recent incidents involving ICE officers in the US, leading to a public outcry and demands for clarification on the agency's role during the international event. While the US insists all operations will remain under Italian authority, the controversy continues to escalate.

The US immigration agency whose officers have been involved in two fatal shootings in Minneapolis has reported it will send agents to help bolster American security operations during the Winter Olympics, which kick off in Italy on February 6.

This announcement has drawn alarm and anger in Italy, with city officials expressing discontent regarding the presence of what they describe as a 'militia'. Milan's mayor, Beppe Sala, stated, 'This is a militia that kills... of course they're not welcome in Milan,' during a radio address.

An ICE spokesperson emphasized that 'all security operations remain under Italian authority'. The US embassy in Rome had previously assured that various federal agencies had participated in past Olympic Games, creating some confusion around ICE's involvement this time.

Italy's interior minister, Matteo Pantedosi, initially appeared unaware of ICE’s deployment but later remarked that foreign delegations could choose their security. However, concern arose in light of troubling recent actions by ICE in response to protests in Minneapolis, particularly after a shooting incident involving agents.

Images of these events have provoked further skepticism about allowing such a force to operate on Italian soil, leading to assertions from Pantedosi that ICE would not partake in operational duties within Italy.

Local political figures have reacted strongly, with some viewing the current government’s handling as a sign of weakness against US influence, particularly under the administration of former President Trump.

As response to the potential ICE presence grows, Milan's mayor has maintained that such agents should not be allowed to deploy in Italy due to their methods differing from Italian democratic norms of security.