ICE to Support US Diplomats at 2026 Winter Olympics, Milan Mayor Objects

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will provide security support for American diplomats at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, a role confirmed by U.S. officials that has sparked strong opposition from Milan's mayor. The Games, set for February 6 to 22 in northern Italy, will see ICE's Homeland Security Investigations unit assist the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service in vetting risks from transnational criminal organizations, according to a statement from the agency. All operations will remain under Italian authority, and ICE will not conduct immigration enforcement abroad.

Sources at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the involvement as consistent with federal support for U.S. diplomats at past Olympic events. The agents' role is limited to protective details for the American delegation, which includes Vice President JD Vance, second lady U.S. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, whose city will host most of the ice sports events, has publicly rejected the presence of ICE agents. "They are not...