Italian officials voice outrage at the presence of U.S. ICE agents at the 2026 Olympics

Italian politicians are expressing outrage over the planned presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Critics, including Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, have voiced strong opposition, citing concerns about ICE's actions in the U.S. Sala stated that ICE is a "militia that kills" and is not welcome in Milan. While the Department of Homeland Security, through spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, clarified that ICE's Homeland Security Investigations unit will assist in vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations under Italian authority, these assurances have not appeased many. Italy's interior minister, Matteo Piantedosi, has stated that ICE will not operate on Italian territory. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani attempted to de-escalate the situation by distinguishing the ICE agents' role at the Olympics from their immigration enforcement activities in the U.S. However, former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged the Italian government to block any role for ICE agents, referencing "street violence and killings" linked to the agency. The controversy arises as the Olympics are set to open amidst high tensions between the U.S. and European allies.