Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are expected to play a security role at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics in February, according to the Associated Press.
ICE agents are expected to support "diplomatic security details" at the Olympics, and will reportedly not run any "immigration enforcement operations," per the AP.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — under which ICE operates — confirmed ICE will not "conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries."
Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 27, 2026
At the Olympics, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations is supporting the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational… https://t.co/ujkMw6dxFD
DHS noted that security operations will fall under Italian authority during the Olympics.
Federal agencies have provided security for U.S. diplomats during previous Olympics, per the Associated Press.
During previous Olympics, several federal agencies have supported security for U.S. diplomats, including the investigative component of ICE called Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the officials said. They could not be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly.
While the U.S. has engaged in similar actions in the past, news that ICE agents will be present at the Olympics could cause more controversy than normal. The AP's report comes at a time where President Donald Trump's use of ICE agents has faced harsh criticism. Polls conducted by Reuters on Monday showed a record-low approval rating for Trump's handling of immigration. A separate poll showed 58 percent of Americans believe ICE has gone "too far" with their actions around the country.
ICE agents have come under fire in recent weeks for their presence in Minnesota, where federal agents have shot and killed two people — 37-year-old Renee Good and 37-year-old VA nurse Alex Pretti — in January. Thousands of protestors took the streets in Minneapolis and other areas in Minnesota over the weekend to voice their displeasure for ICE's presence in the state.
ICE agents have also conducted operations in both Illinois and Maine, among other U.S. states.
At least one Italian politician — Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala — has spoken out about ICE's presence at the Olympics, saying they "are not welcome in Milan," per the AP.
“This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,’' Sala told RTL Radio 102 before ICE’s deployment to the Games was confirmed.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he wasn't sure whether ICE agents would be at the Olympics, but said he did not see a problem if that was the case.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, along with his wife Usha and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend the opening ceremony at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, the White House announced.
The opening ceremony is set to take place Feb. 6. The Milan-Cortina Olympics will run from Feb. 6 through Feb. 22.
