U. S. ICE Agents Join Winter Olympics Security in Italy

In a move that has sparked controversy, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be part of the security team at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. This decision comes amid ongoing criticism of ICE's practices in the United States, particularly following recent incidents involving the agency. The agents from ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division will support the U. S. State Department's security efforts during the February 6-22 event in Milano Cortina. However, they will not engage in immigration enforcement activities while in Italy. Instead, their focus will be on addressing threats from international criminal organizations. A source from the U. S. embassy clarified that all security operations will remain under Italian authority. This is not the first time HSI has been involved in major sporting events, both domestically and internationally. Their presence has been noted at events like the Super Bowl and previous Olympic Games, often in collaboration with international partners to combat issues such as human trafficking and drug trafficking.The involvement of ICE has not been well-received by everyone in Italy. Some politicians, including those within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition, have expressed their disapproval. Maurizio Lupi, leader of the Noi Moderati party, described the decision as "sheer idiocy, " though he acknowledged the need for coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies. The mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, was even more critical, referring to ICE as "a militia that kills. " He made it clear that ICE agents are not welcome in Milan. Italia Viva, a centrist opposition party led by former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, echoed this sentiment, calling ICE a symbol of violence and human rights violations. They urged the Italian government to bar ICE agents from entering the country. In response to the controversy, the hard-left USB trade union announced plans to hold a protest rally in central Milan on February 6, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The rally, titled "ICE OUT - From Minneapolis to Milan, " aims to voice opposition to ICE's presence in Italy.