Published: February 9, 2026
Here in the frigid northeast, people tend to be big fans of the winter Olympics, as they give us a chance to watch people do the winter sports we love from the comforts of our couches. However, 2026’s winter showdown is set to feature a new lineup of attendees, and their ski masks aren’t meant for the slopes. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that ICE agents will be present in Milan during the Winter Olympics this year. DHS’s statements, via spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin assert that officers from the Homeland Security Investigations (a subdivision of ICE) will be acting only to “mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations,” and that “All security operations remain under Italian authority” However, ICE’s two recent murders of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis combined with a recent history of unpredictable and illegal operating behavior sets a poor precedent for the HSI operations in Milan, which DHS says will be focused on diplomatic support and not involved in immigration matters overseas. This move by the DHS to send immigration enforcement abroad comes off as a strange move to many, and a concerning one to the people of Milan, where the presence of ICE has sparked unease and unrest in the Northeast Italian metropolis. In the weeks since the announcement of ICE officials being present at the games, Milanese locals have gathered and vocally protested against any form of ICE involvement in the area, driven by concerns created by the violence in Minneapolis. ICE is so vehemently unwanted in Milan that the mayor, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala’s comments echo if not magnify protester sentiments: “This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips,” said local media last week. “It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt.” While it has not been historically uncommon for some form of U.S. agency or enforcement to be present at the games, the intense publicity ICE has created from their actions, combined with increased international scrutiny of the U.S. under the Trump Administration make the HSI a questionable choice for 2026. As the games kick off this coming week, there’s an added level of tension to the 2026 Olympics, and regardless of what country leaves with the gold, it’s clear Italy wants ICE coming in dead last.
