Italian politicians outraged over ICE deployment at 2026 Winter Olympics; Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani clears air over big controversy

Italian politicians have voiced sharp outrage over reports that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could be involved in security operations linked to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Critics across parties questioned why a US immigration agency would have a role on Italian soil. Foreign Minister of Italy Antonio Tajani moved to defuse the row, stressing that no unilateral deployment had been agreed and that Olympic security remains under Italian authority. Tajani said cooperation with allies would be limited to operations rooms, and it's not that they're coming to maintain public order in the middle of the Italian streets.

According to RNZ, current and former Italian politicians have called on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to step in and prevent the presence of the ICE agents, citing serious concerns following two fatal shootings linked to an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. The incident has intensified criticism, with lawmakers warning that any association with such operations could undermine Italy’s image and fuel controversy ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has made it clear that ICE agents will not be welcome in the city during the Winter Olympics.


"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."

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the reports in a statement issued to CNN as cited by RNZ.

"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 organizations," DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CNN in a statement as quoted by RNZ.

McLaughlin added that the agency is 'supporting' the US diplomatic security service during the Games, while emphasizing that all security operations will remain under Italian authority.

Italy’s foreign minister, Tajani, moved to soothe mounting concerns among lawmakers about the involvement of ICE personnel with the US diplomatic security detail at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

"Let's be clear: it's not like they're coming to maintain public order in the middle of the streets. They're coming to collaborate in the operations rooms," Tajani told Italian radio station RAI as quoted by RNZ.

"It's not like they're the ones on the streets of Minneapolis," the foreign minister said. "It's not like the SS are coming.

"The problem isn't that those with machine guns are coming with their faces covered. They're coming from a specific unit. They're coming because it's the unit responsible for counterterrorism," Tajani further said.

According to Boise State Public Radio, the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is scheduled for February 6, 2026, at San Siro Stadium in Milan, with US Vice President Vance and other American officials expected to attend.