Title: ICE agents to guard Italian Winter Olympics spark uproar A unit of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will support diplomatic security at the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games, but will not conduct enforcement. The announcement has triggered protests from Italian politicians and citizens, who accuse ICE of violating human rights. Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala and EU parliamentarian Alessandro Zan have condemned the presence as unwelcome, while the Italian government has said it will retain control of security. The move comes amid controversy over ICE’s domestic record, including recent shootings in Minneapolis. Opposition parties Green and Left Alliance and Azione have launched petitions to ban ICE agents from the delegation. The United States and Italy have reiterated that ICE’s role is limited to risk assessment and will operate under Italian authority. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has downplayed concerns, comparing the agents to non‑combat security staff rather than a paramilitary force. The Winter Games begin 6 February and will see the presence of US officials, including Vice‑President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are expected to be protected by ICE.

Original article can be found here.