The Department of Homeland Security clarified what its role would be at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan next month after rumors began circulating that ICE officers would be arriving in Italy as part of the security detail.
“Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,” the department shared in an X post on Tuesday in response to a Variety article detailing the “uproar.”
“At the Olympics, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations is supporting the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations,” the post said. “All security operations remain under Italian authority.”
Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries.
At the Olympics, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations is supporting the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational… https://t.co/ujkMw6dxFD
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 27, 2026
The clarification comes after social media users and even Italian government officials voiced their distress over ICE officers being present at the Olympics in any capacity. As the Associated Press noted, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a department within ICE, is known to deploy officers to overseas events like the Olympic Games to help with security.
Vice President JD Vance will lead the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6, 2026, the White House previously announced. He will be joined by second lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, and several former Olympic champions.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala told local radio station RTL Radio 102 that he did not want ICE in the city. “This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,” Sala said, per AP.
Activist group Azione Milano started a petition calling for ICE agents to be banned from the Olympics this year — but the Associated Press noted that the backlash is caused by confusion over the different departments within Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Specifically, Enforcement and Removal Operations officers have the job of arresting and removing individuals violating immigration laws in the United States. Meanwhile, the delegation heading to the Olympics is part of HSI and are often stationed at foreign embassies around the world.
