ICE Agents to Have No Operational Role at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Italy Confirms

ROME — Agents from the US immigration enforcement agency ICE will not have any operational or policing duties during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed Wednesday.

Speaking in parliament, Piantedosi clarified that ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a branch separate from the immigration enforcement arm, will operate only within US diplomatic facilities. The agents “are not operational agents” and “have no executive function,” he said, emphasizing that their presence should not be seen as a law enforcement deployment.

The announcement comes amid public criticism in Italy over ICE agents attending the Games, with Milan’s mayor previously stating that they were not welcome. Piantedosi described such concerns as “completely unfounded” and reassured the public that the agency will not engage in policing activities during the February 6-22 event.