Security without trust?

On January 27th, the US embassy in Rome confirmed the presence of a unit of the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Milan and Cortina for the Olympic Games. Even though it is normal for Olympic delegations to be accompanied by security forces, the specific nature of ICE in the current political landscape has sparked criticism.   

After the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, the general opinion on ICE agents has been reinforced as a group that acts violently, instead of solely carrying out the immigration operations of the country. This has caused panic throughout Milan as citizens are weary of agents, who have been a part of the growing tension in the US, being in the city.  

While opposition to ICE agents in Milan has grown, the presence of foreign security forces during Olympic Games is a standard practice. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that the agents are present only to support other US federal agencies, noting that ICE has previously assisted at major, high-security events. Foreign agents have been present at the Olympic Games for nearly five decades, with the expansion of foreign security – particularly following the deployment of US Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agents – beginning at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. This followed the 1972 terrorist attack in Munich, Germany, in which members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and killed.

The US then tightened security further following the bombing at the Atlanta Games in 1996, and the approach to security not only during the Olympics, but many other high-profile events, drastically changed after September 11, 2001.  

After the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York, US Secret Service was assigned as lead security for domestic events, and with the growing international tensions the DSS was designated by the National Security Council as the agency responsible for security assistance and support.  

For over two decades, the DSS has held the lead position for security during Olympic Games. Therefore, it is not abnormal for the US to deploy agents to coordinate with and provide support to foreign nations who are hosting the Olympic Games.  

For the 2026 Winter Games, all foreign security is under Italian authority and cannot conduct operations outside of providing support to Italian security agents. Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, reiterated that Olympic security is solely in the hands of the Italian police and military, while US officials made it clear that ICE agents have no jurisdiction outside of the United States. 

ICE is not being sent for immigration operations. More specifically, it is not even the operational arm employed in immigration controls in the United States that is being sent to Italy, but the team specialised in investigations. A statement issued from Italy’s interior ministry confirms that the presence of this arm of ICE is not unique as they are currently operating in over 50 countries, and have been active in Italy for years. Their activities abroad are focused on combatting transnational crime, gathering intelligence, and supporting international partners to prevent security threats reaching the US border.  

All of this considered, why is there such outcry from Italian citizens and politicians? With the outrage and negative public opinion in the US, does this public choice simply create a ripple effect of tension, instead of bringing the security and safety that should be the purpose of the deployment? 

In this moment, when the group is perceived as violent by US citizens, is it necessary to send this particular branch of security to the Olympic Games? Regardless of the normality and necessity of having security present, actions taken by ICE agents in recent weeks are the cause of unrest in the US, and now some unrest throughout Italy. This begs the question: could a security detail that is not received with such negativity have been chosen to accompany the delegation instead? 

With the Olympics being an event meant to bring nations around the world together, the presence of ICE seems to bring only controversy and discord.