ICE to Provide Security Support at 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

Homeland Security Investigations unit will assist U.S. State Department at Milano-Cortina Games, sparking controversy

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:11am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented winter sports scene, with overlapping planes of muted blue, white, and gray tones, conveying the complex and divisive nature of ICE's involvement in the upcoming Olympics.The controversial presence of an ICE security unit at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy raises concerns about the balance between international cooperation and local opposition.Minneapolis Today

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit will be deployed to Italy to provide security support during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. This move has sparked controversy, with some Italians, including Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, opposing ICE's presence at the Games. However, ICE's role will be focused on combating transnational criminal organizations, not immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

ICE's involvement in major international sporting events like the Olympics is not new, as the agency often partners with other U.S. law enforcement to address cross-border crimes. However, recent incidents involving ICE have raised concerns about their activities, leading to opposition from some Italians who do not want the agency present at the Milano-Cortina Games.

The details

The HSI unit, which focuses on cross-border crimes, will be stationed at the U.S. Consulate in Milan, working alongside other U.S. law enforcement agencies. Their role is to support and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This is different from ICE's immigration enforcement operations in the U.S. that have drawn criticism.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milano-Cortina, Italy.

The players

Giuseppe Sala

The mayor of Milan, who has made it clear that ICE is not welcome in his city, which will host the opening ceremony and many ice sports events.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that has announced the deployment of an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit to provide security support during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

A division of ICE that focuses on cross-border crimes and will be providing security support at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

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What they’re saying

“ICE is not welcome in my city.”

— Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has stated that the HSI unit's role will be focused on supporting security and investigating cross-border crimes, not immigration enforcement. However, the controversy surrounding ICE's presence at the Olympics is likely to continue, with ongoing discussions and potential protests from Italians who oppose the agency's involvement.

The takeaway

The presence of an ICE unit at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy highlights the complex and often controversial role of the agency in international events. While ICE's involvement is not new, the recent scrutiny of its activities has led to concerns and opposition from some Italians, raising questions about the balance between security and civil liberties.