FILE-US Border Patrol agents stand guard at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 8, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)
MILAN - A unit of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is being deployed to the upcoming Winter Olympics, sparking concern and frustration from some in Italy.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an entity within ICE centered on cross-border crimes, routinely sends officers to overseas events like the Winter Olympic games to help with security.
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According to the Associated Press, HSI officers are separate from the ICE agency at the heart of the immigration crackdown known as Enforcement and Removal Operations.
The AP reported that the Interior Minister is Italy’s top law enforcement official, tasked with security for the Winter Olympics Games.
News of the ICE unit coming to Italy comes in the wake of two recent deadly shootings in Minneapolis of Alex Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of federal immigration officers.
Italy reacts to ICE security coming to the Winter Olympics
What they’re saying: Some reports that ICE officers would be sent to provide added security for the Winter Olympics led to several online petitions gaining momentum and support from people resistant to the presence of ICE at the event.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala told the Associated Press that ICE would not be welcome in his city, which is hosting the Feb. 6 opening ceremony to be attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, as well as most ice sports.
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Meanwhile, Italy’s Interior Ministry also told the AP later that the HSI officers would be positioned in a control room at the U.S. Consulate in Milan.
Olympic committee releases statement
The other side:
The Associated Press reported that the International Olympic Committee underlined in a statement that security "is the responsibility of the authorities of the host country, who collaborate closely with the participating delegations."
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Moreover, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee shared with the AP that it works with the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, the IOC, and the host nation for security planning," but not with U.S. domestic law enforcement or immigration agencies.''
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Associated Press, which received comments from Milan’s mayor and Italy’s Interior Ministry. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.