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ICE Undertaking Security Role in Winter Olympics Sparks Criticism
(MENAFN) The planned participation of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in security operations at next month’s Winter Olympics in Italy has sparked strong criticism, according to reports.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit will work alongside Italian authorities to “vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations” during the Milano Cortina Games, scheduled for February 6–22. Italian officials will retain full command of security operations, and no immigration enforcement will be conducted abroad, the agency stated.
The deployment has drawn public concern in Italy due to ICE’s controversial reputation in the US, including incidents where two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed during interactions with its agents. ICE has also carried out high-profile crackdowns on illegal immigration across multiple US cities.
Italian authorities initially downplayed the announcement, suggesting ICE’s role would be limited to the security of the US delegation. US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Milan on February 6.
Local politicians have condemned the planned deployment. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala described ICE agents as “a militia” that is “not welcome in Milan,” comments echoed by opposition parties, which have submitted parliamentary questions criticizing the agency for “disproportionate use of force.”
Public opposition has also grown online, with a petition to bar ICE agents from the Olympics surpassing 14,600 signatures. The 25th Winter Olympics will host athletes from 93 countries, including Russia, across Milan and Cortina.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit will work alongside Italian authorities to “vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations” during the Milano Cortina Games, scheduled for February 6–22. Italian officials will retain full command of security operations, and no immigration enforcement will be conducted abroad, the agency stated.
The deployment has drawn public concern in Italy due to ICE’s controversial reputation in the US, including incidents where two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed during interactions with its agents. ICE has also carried out high-profile crackdowns on illegal immigration across multiple US cities.
Italian authorities initially downplayed the announcement, suggesting ICE’s role would be limited to the security of the US delegation. US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Milan on February 6.
Local politicians have condemned the planned deployment. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala described ICE agents as “a militia” that is “not welcome in Milan,” comments echoed by opposition parties, which have submitted parliamentary questions criticizing the agency for “disproportionate use of force.”
Public opposition has also grown online, with a petition to bar ICE agents from the Olympics surpassing 14,600 signatures. The 25th Winter Olympics will host athletes from 93 countries, including Russia, across Milan and Cortina.
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