ICE Agents to Play Security Role at Winter Olympics in Italy
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be present in Milan and Cortina throughout the upcoming Winter Olympics, according to reports confirmed by the US Embassy in Rome to the Associated Press. The sporting event is scheduled to begin on February 6 in Italy, and ICE agents are expected to play a security role during the extravaganza.
Security Support Without Immigration Enforcement
The federal ICE agents will reportedly support diplomatic security details and would not run any immigration enforcement operations. This move aims to enhance safety protocols for the international event, focusing on protecting US diplomatic personnel and assets.
Controversy Over ICE Presence Amid US Unrest
However, ICE's presence at the games has sparked significant controversy, fueled by growing unrest in the United States. This follows recent incidents where ICE agents were involved in operations in Minnesota under the Trump administration's orders.
The news emerged on Tuesday after the deaths of two American citizens at the hands of federal officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, within less than three weeks. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed after a struggle with federal agents on Saturday. He allegedly confronted officers during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in the city.
His death came just two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot in her car by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. These incidents have ignited a political firestorm throughout the US, raising concerns about ICE's conduct and its reception abroad.
Italian Opposition to ICE Deployment
The agents are not expected to be well-received in Italy, particularly in Milan, which is hosting most ice sports during the February 6-22 Winter Games. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has publicly stated that ICE would not be welcome in his city.
In an interview with RTL Radio 102 before ICE's deployment to the Games was confirmed, Sala described ICE as "a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips." He emphasized, "It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt."
This opposition highlights the international ramifications of domestic US policies and the delicate balance between security needs and public perception during global events like the Winter Olympics.
