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U.S. Olympic officials changed the name of the U.S. athletes’ reception area from “Ice House” to “Winter House” amid protests in Italy over the involvement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in security measures at the Games and growing outrage over U.S. operations.
The environment is expected to be a space for U.S. Olympic figure skaters, speed skaters and ice hockey players and their families to gather for meets, medal celebrations, watch parties and other events, according to Reuters. The site is expected to be featured during NBC’s coverage of the Winter Games.
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A general view of the Team USA Welcome Experience at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on February 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“Our hospitality concept was designed to be a private, distraction-free space where athletes, their families and friends can come together to celebrate the unique Winter Games experience,” US Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating said in a joint statement.
“This name reflects that vision and connects to the season and the event.”
USA Today first reported the name change.
ICE agents will play a security role for U.S. officials during the Winter Games. U.S. Embassy officials told The Associated Press last week that ICE agents would support diplomatic security details and would not direct any immigration enforcement operations.
MILAN CORTINA 2026 OLYMPIC GAMES: EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WINTER GAMES
Ilia Malinin of Team USA practices on day four of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Ice Rink on February 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Matthieu Stockman/Getty Images)
“Clearly, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“During the Olympics, ICE Homeland Security Investigations supports the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the host nation to monitor and mitigate risks related to transnational criminal organizations. All security operations remain under Italian authority.”
Meanwhile, protests broke out in Italy against ICE’s involvement.
“No thanks, from Minnesota to the world, standing with all those fighting for human rights,” one banner said, according to the Associated Press. Another said: “Ice cream only in Spritz.”
Italian lawmaker Riccardo Magi, center, shows a sign demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents not be allowed into the Milan Cortina Olympics during a protest organized by the center-left +Europa party in front of the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said ICE would not be welcome in the city and cited images of masked agents in Minneapolis. ICE operations have come under fire since the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
