ICE Set To Accompany U.S. Athletes At 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy Seeks Explanation Of Its Role

The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will accompany the U.S. team to the Winter Olympics in Italy.

The DHS said this is to mitigate the risk of attacks from transnational criminal organizations. Despite this, Italian officials are seeking clarification of ICE’s possible role in the Winter Olympics, and may be denied entry.

“Bringing to Milan a militia which distinguished itself, this is not my opinion, with criminal acts, which kill, which enters in the homes of American citizens without authorization,” Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said, “I do not think that that is a good idea.”

Homeland Security Investigations, a division of ICE, was part of the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, they mostly shared security practices with Paris officials to ensure the safety of all participants. 

Every nation is allowed to bring in security forces from their country to protect their athletes. However, any matter of public order may only be dealt with by home country officials. 

ICE has been at the center of recent protests in the U.S. ICE has recently killed two American citizens. The use of ICE has increased during the Trump administration.

This has led some to believe ICE is too dangerous to be brought abroad. ICE agents are one of the few government law enforcement agencies that do not require a college degree. The training time has also been cut in half during the Trump administration.

Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to be in attendance for the start of the games on Feb. 6. Vance receives protection from the Secret Service, while Rubio is protected by the Diplomatic Security Service. The games are scheduled from February 6 to 22.