MILAN, February 6, 2026 — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will provide security support during the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games, a move confirmed by sources at the U.S. Embassy in Rome and independently verified by The Associated Press. The deployment, finalized Tuesday, raises questions about the agency’s role at an international sporting event, especially given recent controversies surrounding its operations.
Security Support, Not Enforcement, Officials Say
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The U.S. will deploy ICE agents to Italy to bolster diplomatic security during the Winter Games, but not to conduct immigration enforcement.
- ICE agents will support diplomatic security details.
- No immigration enforcement operations are planned.
- The deployment follows precedent set at previous Olympic Games.
- Milan’s mayor has publicly opposed ICE’s presence.
Federal officials confirmed that the ICE agents will focus on supporting security details for U.S. diplomats and will not be involved in any immigration enforcement activities. This practice isn’t new; several federal agencies, including the investigative component of ICE – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – have routinely provided security assistance for U.S. diplomats at major international events like the Olympics. Sources familiar with the matter were not authorized to speak publicly.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) commonly provides security support at large international gatherings, leveraging HSI’s global reach. The State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service also routinely supports events such as the Olympics. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Transportation Security Administration deployed officers to assist with airport screening amid increased visitor volume and potential security threats.
Milan Mayor Voices Strong Opposition
The planned deployment has sparked immediate backlash from Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, who expressed strong opposition to ICE’s presence. Citing images of masked ICE agents during unrest in Minneapolis, Sala stated that ICE would not be welcome in Milan, which will host most of the ice sports during the Games, running from February 6-22.
“This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,” Sala told RTL Radio 102 prior to the official confirmation of ICE’s deployment.
The initial reports of ICE’s role surfaced over the weekend in the Italian daily il Fatto Quotidiano, prompting conflicting statements from Italian authorities who appeared hesitant to confirm the agency’s involvement. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated Saturday he had not received confirmation of the deployment but added, “I don’t see what the problem would be,” according to the news agency ANSA.
On Tuesday, the Interior Ministry reiterated that the U.S. had not confirmed the composition of its security detail, but insisted, “at the moment there are no indications that ICE USA will act as an escort to the American delegation.”
U.S. Delegation to Attend Opening Ceremony
U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation attending the opening ceremony on February 6. He will be joined by second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the White House announced earlier this month.
The confirmation of ICE’s security role comes after RAI state TV aired footage Sunday of ICE agents allegedly threatening to break the glass on the vehicle of a RAI reporting crew in Minneapolis. ICE operations in Minneapolis have triggered widespread demonstrations, and in the past three weeks, federal officers have shot and killed two protesters opposing deportations and immigration enforcement.
What is the role of ICE at the Milan Cortina Winter Games?
ICE agents will be providing security support to U.S. diplomats during the Games, but will not be conducting immigration enforcement operations. This is a common practice at major international events.
