ICE agents from US set to help with security at Winter Olympics in Italy

"Agents from the United States' divisive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will help support US security operations for the Winter Olympic Games in Italy next month, a spokesperson told the AFP news agency. At the Olympics, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations is supporting the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organisations, the agency said in a statement."

"All security operations remain under Italian authority. It added: Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries. The potential presence of ICE agents at the February 6-22 Milano-Cortina Games has prompted huge debate in Italy, following the outcry over the deaths of two civilians during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Italian authorities initially denied the presence of ICE and then sought to downplay its role, suggesting its agents would only help in security for the US delegation."

"On Monday, the president of the northern Lombardy region, which is hosting several of the Olympic events, said ICE's involvement would be limited to monitoring Vance and Rubio. It will be only in a defensive role, but I am convinced that nothing will happen, Attilio Fontana told reporters. However, his office then issued a statement saying he did not have any information on their presence, but was responding to a hypothetical question."

ICE Homeland Security Investigations will assist the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and the host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organisations during the 6–22 February 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. All security operations will remain under Italian authority and ICE says it does not conduct immigration enforcement abroad. The announced presence of ICE agents has sparked major debate in Italy after public outcry over two civilian deaths during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Italian officials issued conflicting statements about ICE's role and presence. US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the opening ceremony.

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