U.S. ICE Agents Who Shot Civilians at Winter Olympics? Alarmed Italy Says "Please Don't Come"

As news has emerged that agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are scheduled to participate in security operations ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, there has been a strong backlash within Italy.

On January 28, Yonhap News, citing AFP and AP, reported that Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed strong opposition to the deployment of ICE agents in a radio interview, stating, "They are not welcome in Milan." Mayor Sala further emphasized, "Our democratic approach to public security is incompatible with the way ICE operates," and questioned, "Is it not possible for the Italian government to say 'no' to the U.S. president?"

Ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, news has emerged that agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are scheduled to participate in security operations, sparking strong opposition within Italy. Reuters Yonhap News

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According to the U.S. Embassy in Italy, ICE agents are scheduled to be deployed to support Italian authorities' security activities during the Olympics. ICE clarified, "All operations will be conducted under the command of Italian authorities, and no immigration enforcement activities will be carried out overseas." ICE also explained that U.S. federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under ICE, have previously supported security at international sporting events.

However, concerns have not subsided easily, as the specific roles ICE agents will actually perform have not been disclosed. The centrist opposition party Viva Italia criticized, "ICE is a symbol of violence, abuse of authority, and human rights violations," and called the decision to allow their presence in Italy "irresponsible." The major Italian labor union USB announced plans to hold a protest on the Olympic opening day, February 6, under the slogan "From Minneapolis to Milan."

The background to this controversy includes recent fatal shootings by ICE in the United States. On January 7 and 24, two American citizens were shot and killed during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While the U.S. government has argued that the lives of the agents were threatened, criticism of excessive force continues.

On the 7th and 24th, two American citizens were shot and killed during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Amid this, protests against ICE activities are intensifying across the United States. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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In response, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani indirectly criticized the U.S. enforcement approach, stating, "There is a clear difference between arresting an armed individual and killing them." ICE reiterated that "activities during the Olympics will be limited to technical and informational support for risk mitigation," but Italy's political circles and civil society remain firmly opposed, citing concerns about potential human rights violations and issues of public security sovereignty. With just a month left before the Olympics, the controversy over ICE's deployment is expected to continue for some time.

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