Italy's Winter Olympics security plan keeps ICE in advisory role

"Italy has detailed a sweeping security plan for the Winter Olympics, stressing it will keep command of all operations after news emerged that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff would be assisting the US delegation. The Games will be one of the most complex security operations Italy has had to manage, with the event split between two main hubs, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, with additional events held elsewhere across the north."

"About 3,500 athletes will take part in the event, which runs from February 6 to February 22, with the government expecting some two million visitors, including 60,000 for the opening ceremony in Milan's San Siro stadium. The US delegation will be led by US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the security operation blends field deployments, intelligence-led prevention and, for the first time at a major event in Italy, a 24-hour cybersecurity control room."

Italy will keep command of all Olympic security operations, deploying about 6,000 law enforcement officers, drones, no-fly zones and restricted-access areas across multiple sites. The Games are split between Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo with additional northern venues, hosting roughly 3,500 athletes and an expected two million visitors, including 60,000 at the opening ceremony. The security operation blends field deployments, intelligence-led prevention and, for the first time at a major event in Italy, a 24-hour cybersecurity control room. Several U.S. federal agencies, including ICE, will assist the US delegation, but ICE personnel will be confined to US diplomatic offices and not operate on the ground. All security operations on Italian territory remain under the exclusive responsibility and direction of Italian authorities.

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