At a Glance
- ICE will support diplomatic security for the U.S. delegation at the Milan Cortina Winter Games from Feb. 6-22.
- Federal agents will not conduct immigration enforcement operations.
- Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has stated that ICE is not welcome in the city.
- Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he had not received confirmation of ICE’s deployment.
- Vice President JD Vance will lead the U.S. delegation, joined by second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The U.S. Embassy in Rome confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will play a security role during the upcoming Winter Games, but will not engage in immigration enforcement. The decision follows reports by the Italian daily il Fatto Quotidiano and conflicting statements from Italian officials.
ICE’s Security Role
The Embassy sources said ICE agents would support diplomatic security details for the U.S. delegation. They emphasized that the agents would not run any immigration enforcement operations. This arrangement mirrors previous Olympic security collaborations, where federal agencies have assisted U.S. diplomats.
During earlier Olympic events, the investigative component of ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, has provided security support. The sources could not be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly.
Italian Reaction
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed strong opposition to ICE’s presence. “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 before ICE’s deployment was confirmed.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi responded to the weekend reports by saying he had not received confirmation of ICE’s deployment. “I don’t see what the problem would be,” he said, according to ANSA.
The conflicting statements illustrate the tension between the U.S. Embassy’s confirmation and Italian officials’ reluctance to endorse the agency’s role.
U.S. Delegation Details
Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation attending the opening ceremony on Feb. 6. The delegation also includes second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as announced by the White House earlier this month.
The delegation’s presence underscores the importance of diplomatic security during the Games. ICE’s limited role is intended to bolster the safety of the U.S. delegation without engaging in enforcement.
Context of ICE Controversy
The confirmation of ICE’s role came after RAI state TV aired a video on Sunday showing ICE agents threatening to break the glass on a vehicle of a RAI crew in Minneapolis. The incident sparked protests and highlighted the agency’s contentious presence.
In the past three weeks, federal officers in Minneapolis have shot and killed two protesters opposing deportations and immigration enforcement. The video and recent incidents have intensified scrutiny of ICE’s activities abroad.
Key Takeaways
- ICE will assist U.S. diplomatic security at the Milan Cortina Winter Games but will not enforce immigration laws.
- Milan Mayor Sala and Italian Interior Minister Piantedosi have expressed differing views on the agency’s presence.
- The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President Vance, will benefit from ICE’s support during the Games.
- Recent incidents involving ICE agents in Minneapolis have fueled controversy over the agency’s role in international events.
The situation remains a point of diplomatic sensitivity as the Games approach, with both U.S. and Italian officials navigating the balance between security and public perception.
