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Anti-ICE protests have reached the site of next week’s Winter Olympics.
Hundreds of protesters were in Milan on Saturday as the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to this year’s Games was announced. U.S. Embassy officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that ICE agents would support diplomatic security details and would not conduct any immigration enforcement operations.
“Clearly, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
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People take part in an anti-ICE protest, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
But that did not stop the protests in Piazza XXV Aprile.
“No thank you, from Minnesota to the world, alongside all those who fight for human rights,” read one banner, according to the Associated Press. Another said: “Ice cream only in Spritz.”
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said ICE would not be welcome in the city, citing images of masked agents in Minneapolis. Milan is scheduled to host most Olympic Games events starting February 6.
People take part in an anti-ICE protest, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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“It’s a militia that kills, a militia that enters people’s homes by signing their own permits. It’s clear that they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,” Sala told RTL Radio 102 before ICE’s security involvement was revealed.
However, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said on Saturday that although he did not have information about the ICE’s participation in the Olympics, he did not “see what the problem would be”, according to the ANSA news agency.
People take part in an anti-ICE protest, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the opening ceremony.
