As preparations ramp up for the upcoming Winter Olympics in northern Italy, the planned presence of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit has sparked backlash and confusion—particularly in Milan, where Mayor Giuseppe Sala has made his opposition unmistakably clear.
This is Giuseppe Sala expressing his strong opposition to the presence of ICE in Italy.
— Xer (@RDR0001) January 27, 2026
Video Translation:
Giuseppe Sala: "I am quite surprised by Minister Piantedosi’s attitude. First, he asks 'What’s the problem?', and then he says we are creating a controversy over nothing.… pic.twitter.com/AFXLmPAXLF
The controversy began after reports surfaced that a unit linked to ICE would provide security support during the Games. In Italy, ICE is widely associated with aggressive immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, leading many to assume U.S. Agents would be operating on Italian soil in a visible or enforcement-heavy role.
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Speaking on RTL Radio 102, Sala rejected that idea outright. “This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips,” he said. “It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt.” Milan is set to host the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, along with most of the ice events.
Italian officials quickly moved to clarify what the U.S. Presence would actually entail. According to the Interior Ministry, the personnel involved belong to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division within ICE that focuses on transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and financial fraud—not immigration enforcement. The ministry said the agents would be stationed primarily at the U.S. Consulate in Milan, working in a support and coordination capacity with other U.S. Agencies.
“All of the security operations in the territory remain as always the exclusive responsibility and direction of Italian authorities,” the ministry said in a statement following a meeting between Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta.
U.S. Officials echoed that distinction. The Department of Homeland Security stressed that ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement abroad and that HSI’s role during the Olympics would be limited to behind-the-scenes intelligence support. One U.S. Official said spectators would likely never see or interact with the agents.
HSI has long operated in more than 50 countries, including Italy, often embedded within embassies to assist with international investigations. Still, recent reports of closer coordination between HSI and ICE’s deportation-focused arm in the U.S. Have fueled skepticism overseas.
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The International Olympic Committee reiterated that Olympic security ultimately rests with host nations, while the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said it coordinates through diplomatic security channels—not domestic law enforcement agencies.