Reports indicate that ICE, which has been involved in an often brutal immigration crackdown in the United States, is reportedly supporting the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations during the February 6-22 Games in northern Italy. In a statement issued overnight to AFP, ICE emphasized that all security operations remain under Italian authority.
It remains unclear whether HSI has been involved in the Olympics before or if this is a new arrangement. According to ICE’s website, HSI investigates global threats such as illegal movements of people, goods, money, contraband, weapons, and sensitive technology into, out of, and through the United States.
ICE clarified its operations in Italy are separate from the immigration crackdown carried out by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which is part of the agency’s activities within U.S. borders. “At no time does ICE conduct immigration enforcement operations outside of the United States,” stated the agency.
Despite this, there has been widespread outrage over ICE’s immigration practices in the United States among many Italian citizens, particularly following two civilian deaths during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. The leftist mayor of Milan explicitly stated that ICE is “not welcome” and called for their removal from Italy.
In response to such criticism, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are attending the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6. Initially, Italian authorities downplayed any involvement by ICE, suggesting they would only provide security for the U.S. delegation. However, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi later stated that “ICE, as such, will never operate in Italy.”
The International Olympic Committee did not directly address this issue but referred questions to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Thousands of ICE agents have been deployed by U.S. President Donald Trump across various U.S. cities for their immigration enforcement actions, which have led to widespread protests.
Recent killings of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis further intensified the criticism towards ICE’s tactics.