ICE ‘Advisers’ At Italy’s Winter Olympics Spark Backlash

One of Italy’s most complex security operations ever will see thousands of officers deployed, tight access zones, and high-tech surveillance and cybersecurity — all under Rome’s operational command. 

But news that a unit from U.S. ICE will be providing intelligence support for event security has put Italian communists in a tizzy.

The Winter Games, running Feb 6-22, will be split between two main hubs, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with additional events held elsewhere across the north. It will host 3,500 athletes and 2 million visitors, including 60,000 at Milan’s San Siro opening ceremony.

For that, Italy is rolling out one of its largest security operations ever: 6,000 officers, no‑fly zones, restricted access areas, and a 24‑hour cybersecurity control room — all under Rome’s command.

Authorities will also activate several “red zones” barring access to individuals with public-order convictions in an effort to prevent clashes.

The U.S. delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. security officials will support them. Italian authorities insist they will retain full control, though, after reports that U.S. ICE staff would assist the American delegation.

It is common for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and domestic law enforcement agencies to provide security support at major international events. But ICE will provide intelligence support only, with no enforcement role.

DHS stressed that “all security operations at the Olympics are directed and managed exclusively by Italian authorities.” The U.S. ambassador added that ICE agents will not be roaming the streets.

ICE will be present via its Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) division, and its role “will be strictly advisory and intelligence-based, with no patrolling or enforcement involvement,” Tilman J. Fertitta, the U.S. ambassador to Italy, wrote on X.

The BBC reported that U.S. embassy diplomats in Rome had already explained to Italian media that various federal agencies had worked at previous Games in the past.

Meanwhile, HSI would be “strictly supportive — working with the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and Italian authorities to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations.”

It would “obviously” not conduct immigration enforcement operations outside the U.S., DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told the BBC.

Still, the presence of ICE has sparked protests from a myriad of leftist groups, communists, and opponents of conservative Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s government, always looking for an excuse. Under the slogan “ICE OUT,” these lefties oppose any role for the agency on Italian soil.

The far‑left USB union has called an “ICE OUT” rally in central Milan on February 6, coinciding with the Games’ opening ceremony, while opposition parties and left‑wing groups plan a protest this Saturday.

“This is a militia that kills… of course they’re not welcome in Milan,” Milan Mayor Beppe Sala told Italian radio.

Italy’s foreign minister countered those ridiculous claims and defended his government’s decision to allow ICE agents into the country for the Winter Olympics.

“They’re officials from a specific unit. They’re coming because it’s the unit responsible for counter-terrorism,” he told L’Espresso.

Adding: “It’s not like the [Nazi] SS are coming.”

Meanwhile, U.S. security officials helping to safeguard Americans at Italy’s Winter Olympics are stepping up planning for potential drone disruptions from illicit filming over venues to worst-case scenarios involving explosive payloads.

Tim Ayers, Director of DSS’ Major Events Coordination Division, described drones as “a massive issue” that host nations and visiting security teams now treat as a standing threat category.

“The Italians have primacy, it’s their country,” Ayers said. “We’re there as a backstop to share information and expertise as needed.”

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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