Italy-US Diplomatic Row Over ICE Presence at Milan Winter Olympics
Days after two Italian journalists faced threats from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis, Italy has voiced strong opposition to the United States now planning to send ICE agents to the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Milan. The event is scheduled to commence on February 6, 2026, but the announcement has already sparked diplomatic friction between the two nations.
Milan Mayor's Strong Opposition to ICE Presence
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has been particularly vocal in his criticism, describing ICE as "a militia that kills" and declaring that the agency is not welcome in Milan. In a revealing interview with Italy's RTL Radio 102, Mayor Sala expressed his concerns about the compatibility of ICE's methods with Italian democratic security protocols.
"I believe they shouldn't come to Italy, because they don't guarantee they're aligned with our democratic security management methods," Sala stated firmly. "We can take care of their security ourselves. We don't need ICE."
However, the mayor also acknowledged the political complexities involved, posing the rhetorical question: "Could we ever say no to Trump?" This remark highlights the delicate balance between national sovereignty and international diplomatic relations.
US Embassy Clarifies ICE Role in Milan
The United States embassy has moved quickly to clarify the situation, emphasizing that ICE agents deployed to Milan will not carry out any operational activities on foreign soil. According to official statements, their sole purpose will be to support the US diplomatic mission during the Olympic Games.
An ICE statement elaborated that the agency's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division will be "supporting the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organisations." The US government further emphasized that all security operations during the Games will remain under Italian authority, noting that various federal agencies have provided similar support at previous Olympic events.
Italian Government's Mixed Response
Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Pantedosi initially claimed he was unaware of ICE's planned participation in the Milan-Cortina Olympics. However, when pressed by the BBC, he later stated that he saw no particular problem with the arrangement, noting that foreign delegations traditionally have the right to choose their own security arrangements for such international events.
This apparent contradiction within the Italian government reflects the broader tension between political rhetoric and practical diplomatic considerations surrounding the Olympic security arrangements.
Background: Italian Journalists' Encounter with ICE
The current diplomatic tension has been fueled by a recent incident involving two Italian correspondents - Laura Cappon and Daniele Babbo - who were reporting for a television program from Minneapolis. According to their account, ICE agents stopped and threatened them during their journalistic work.
"I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm just driving around my community," one of the journalists recalled saying before an ICE agent reportedly warned: "We are going to break out your window and extract you from the vehicle." This unsettling encounter has clearly influenced Italian perceptions of ICE's methods and contributed to the current diplomatic standoff.
As the Milan Winter Olympics approach, this developing situation represents a significant test for Italy-US relations, balancing security concerns with diplomatic protocol and national sovereignty. The controversy highlights the complex interplay between international event security, diplomatic relations, and differing approaches to law enforcement across nations.
