US Immigration Agents’ Arrival for Winter Olympics Sparks Outrage in Italy

The announcement that U.S. immigration officials will be deployed to support security measures for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy has ignited significant backlash within the country. The games are set to commence on February 6, and the involvement of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has raised eyebrows among Italian officials and citizens alike.

Mayor Beppe Sala of Milan expressed his discontent during a radio interview, stating, “This is a militia that kills… of course they’re not welcome in Milan.” His comments reflect a strong sentiment against the presence of ICE agents, particularly in light of recent incidents involving the agency.

In a statement, ICE representatives clarified that their role would focus solely on assisting the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the Italian authorities in assessing and addressing potential threats posed by transnational criminal groups. They emphasized that their operations would not extend to immigration enforcement on Italian soil.

U.S. embassy officials in Rome had previously informed local media that several federal agencies have participated in security arrangements for past Olympic events. However, it remained unclear whether ICE had been involved in those instances.

Initially, Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Pantedosi seemed unaware of the ICE agents’ deployment, asserting that foreign delegations had the autonomy to select their security teams. He remarked, “I don’t see what the problem is and it’s very normal.” Yet, as the situation in Minneapolis drew attention, so too did the apprehension regarding ICE’s potential visibility on Italian streets.

Following the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, two Italian journalists faced intimidation from ICE personnel while covering the incident. A report revealed that one agent warned the reporters against filming, threatening to break their car window.

In an attempt to quell the rising tension, Attilio Fontana, the governor of Lombardy, suggested that the ICE agents’ presence was primarily to safeguard U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, political figures opposing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, including Five Star Senator Barbara Floridia, criticized the lack of government communication on the issue, labeling it as a sign of weakness in dealing with the Trump administration.

In response, Minister Pantedosi adopted a firmer stance, declaring on Monday that “ICE will certainly not operate on Italian national territory.” He highlighted that the Italian state would ensure security without the need for external enforcement personnel.

Milan’s mayor reiterated his concerns, declaring, “I believe [ICE agents] shouldn’t come to Italy because they don’t guarantee they conform to our democratic way of ensuring security,” during a discussion on RTL radio. The controversy surrounding the presence of U.S. immigration officials in Italy continues to unfold as the Winter Olympics draw closer.