The US immigration agency whose officers have been involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis has announced it will be sending agents to assist in security operations during the Winter Olympics in Italy, beginning February 6. Confirmation of this deployment has sparked alarm and anger among Italian officials.
Milan Mayor Beppe Sala voiced strong disapproval, stating, This is a militia that kills... of course they're not welcome in Milan. In a bid to address the rising tensions, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani remarked, It's not like the [Nazi] SS are coming, during a statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Traditionally, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and related agencies offer support at significant international events. However, Italian authorities have been keen to emphasize that they will maintain full control over security. Tajani clarified that no ICE agents would be on Italian streets, and only local law enforcement would handle security duties, underscoring that an operations room would be set up at the US consulate in Milan to coordinate efforts with Italian agencies.
Following the announcement, the situation became further complicated by recent events involving ICE agents, including a fatal shooting in Minneapolis that ignited protests across the United States. As tensions escalated in Italy, reports emerged of threats made by ICE officials to journalists covering their operations in Minneapolis.
Despite the controversy, the Lombardy region's governor suggested that ICE agents might be needed to ensure the safety of US officials like Vice President JD Vance during the Olympics. Meanwhile, political opponents of Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the government's responses as indicative of subservience to the US.
The debate continues as Italian leaders urge clarity from the US about personnel involved and reaffirm the Italian government's commitment to ensuring national security without external interference.
