Key Facts
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff to support U.S. delegation security at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
• Deployment starts February 6, 2026, coinciding with the Olympics opening.
• ICE personnel will not engage in immigration enforcement or public security within Italy.
• ICE has a controversial history involving shootings during immigration crackdowns.
• Milan Mayor publicly opposes ICE presence, stating it is “clearly unwelcome” in Milan.
• Mayor questions if it is possible to say no to former President Trump regarding the deployment.
Summary
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency will send staff to assist with security for the U.S. delegation at the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, starting February 6. According to Italian media, ICE personnel will strictly limit their role to supporting the U.S. team’s security plans and will not participate in immigration enforcement or broader public safety activities within Italy. ICE’s involvement is controversial due to past incidents where its officers have used lethal force during immigration operations. Reflecting local opposition, the Mayor of Milan has expressed clear disapproval of ICE’s deployment, emphasizing that the agency is unwelcome in the city and questioning the political decision to allow their presence. This development highlights tensions between international security cooperation and local political sentiments ahead of the global sporting event.
