Key Facts
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) planned to support security at Milan-Cortina Olympics.
• On January 31, a large protest occurred in Milan against ICE deployment.
• ICE faced nationwide U.S. protests after agents fatally shot protesters in Minneapolis in January.
• Milan’s mayor criticized ICE as a “killer militia organization.”
• Italian political figures and citizens also voiced opposition to ICE’s presence.
• The U.S. government stated ICE’s role in Italy is limited to advice and information gathering, not enforcement.
Summary
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency’s planned deployment to assist security at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics sparked significant backlash in Italy. On January 31, thousands protested in Milan, reflecting widespread opposition fueled by ICE’s controversial enforcement tactics, including fatal shootings of protesters in Minneapolis earlier that month. Milan’s mayor publicly condemned ICE as a “killer militia organization,” a sentiment echoed by other Italian political leaders and citizens. In response, the U.S. government emphasized that ICE’s activities in Italy will be strictly advisory and focused on information gathering, excluding any direct enforcement actions. This development highlights ongoing international concerns about ICE’s methods and presence abroad.
