At a Glance
- ICE agents will support diplomatic security in Milan during the Winter Games, but will not enforce immigration.
- Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala strongly opposes the agency’s presence.
- U.S. officials confirm ICE’s limited role and a delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vance.
- Why it matters: The decision highlights tensions between U.S. federal agencies and local European authorities amid heightened scrutiny of ICE operations.
The U.S. Embassy in Rome confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will play a security role in Milan during the upcoming Winter Games. ICE agents will support diplomatic security details but will not conduct immigration enforcement.
ICE’s Role in Milan
According to sources at the U.S. Embassy, ICE will assist in protecting U.S. diplomats during the games that run from Feb. 6-22. The agency’s involvement is limited to security support, with no enforcement operations.
The Embassy’s confirmation followed a report by the Italian daily il Fatto Quotidiano that sparked conflicting statements from Italian authorities. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he had not received confirmation of ICE’s deployment, yet added, “I don’t see what the problem would be,” according to ANSA.
The U.S. Interior Ministry reiterated that the U.S. has not confirmed the makeup of its security detail and stated, “at the moment there are no indications that ICE USA will act as an escort to the American delegation.”
Local Reactions
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed strong opposition to ICE’s presence. He said, “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,” before ICE’s deployment was confirmed.
Sala’s remarks came after il Fatto Quotidiano reported the agency’s involvement, prompting a swift response from the mayor. The mayor’s statement reflects broader concerns about ICE’s reputation following incidents in Minneapolis.
U.S. Delegation and Security
The U.S. delegation will attend the opening ceremony on Feb. 6 and includes Vice President J.D. Vance, second lady Usha Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The delegation’s security detail will be coordinated with ICE agents as described by the Embassy.
The decision to involve ICE follows a video aired by RAI state TV on Sunday showing ICE agents threatening to break the glass on a vehicle carrying a RAI crew in Minneapolis. The video highlighted ICE’s confrontational tactics in a city where federal officers have recently shot and killed two protesters in the past three weeks.
Background and Context
During previous Olympics, several U.S. federal agencies, including the investigative component of ICE called Homeland Security Investigations, have supported security for U.S. diplomats. The specific role of ICE in those events was not publicly disclosed.
Professor Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of UCLA School of Law’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy, explained that U.S. citizens must show proof of citizenship and that police and immigration encounters are governed by specific laws. His comments were made in the context of the current debate over ICE’s presence in Milan.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb. 6-22 | Milan Winter Games |
| Feb. 6 | Opening ceremony attended by U.S. delegation |
| Feb. 5 | il Fatto Quotidiano reports ICE role |
| Feb. 4 | Interior Minister Piantedosi issues statement |
| Feb. 3 | U.S. Embassy confirms ICE security role |
Key Takeaways
- ICE will support U.S. diplomatic security in Milan but will not conduct immigration enforcement.
- Milan Mayor Sala publicly opposed ICE’s presence, citing past controversies.
- The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, will be escorted by ICE agents as part of the security plan.
- The decision follows heightened scrutiny of ICE operations after incidents in Minneapolis.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between U.S. federal security objectives and international diplomatic sensitivities during major global events.
