The Italian government has stated that concerns regarding the involvement of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are unfounded. The clarification comes amid public criticism and protests over the perceived role of American immigration officers on Italian soil during the international sporting event.

ICE Personnel Restricted to Embassy Duties

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister, Matteo Salvini, addressed the recent concerns, affirming that ICE agents will not perform any enforcement duties during the Games. He emphasised that ICE personnel assigned to Italy during the Olympics will remain within the confines of U.S. diplomatic missions, where they will undertake only analytical functions related to security matters. This includes tasks such as intelligence analysis and coordination with American agencies, all conducted within the legal framework of diplomatic practice.

Salvini dismissed the protests as based on misinformation and asserted that there would be no infringement on Italian sovereignty. He stated that foreign agents, including those from ICE, would not have operational responsibilities outside their diplomatic boundaries.

Growing Public Concerns Ahead of the Games

The clarification follows rising apprehension across civil society groups and sections of the public in Italy. These concerns relate to the presence and potential activities of U.S. law enforcement officials during the Olympic Games, with critics raising questions about national security and jurisdiction.

Protesters had expressed anxiety that ICE personnel might take an active role in security operations within Italy during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Fears were heightened by discussions around international collaborations to ensure security at large-scale events such as the Olympics, which often involve multiple governments working in coordination.

Rome Reaffirms Sovereignty and Control Over Security Operations

The Italian government reiterated that all security operations during the Winter Games will remain under Italian jurisdiction. The Interior Ministry and relevant Italian security forces will oversee public safety during the international event, supported where necessary by bilateral intelligence cooperation agreements.

Officials underlined that any support or collaboration from foreign governments, including the United States, will strictly follow diplomatic protocols. No foreign officers will be permitted to act independently or conduct operations on Italian territory.

Winter Olympics 2026 Preparations Proceeding

The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, marking Italy’s first time hosting the Winter Games since 2006. Preparations are ongoing, with infrastructure, transport, and security planning being key focus areas for national and regional authorities.

Italy anticipates welcoming thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators from around the world, with coordination already initiated among various agencies to ensure smooth logistics and robust security measures.

The government continues to stress that public safety will be maintained by Italian forces alone and that international cooperation, where necessary, will proceed under strict legal frameworks.