The mayor of Milan, the host city for the upcoming Winter Olympics, has sparked controversy by denouncing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as a "militia" that is "not welcome" at the Games. Beppe Sala, a centre-left city leader, made the remarks as ICE prepares to deploy personnel to support American security operations during the event.
Mayor's Strong Condemnation
Mayor Sala, who will attend the opening ceremony next Friday, expressed deep concerns about the agency's presence. He stated, "I believe [ICE agents] shouldn't come to Italy because they don't guarantee they conform to our democratic way of ensuring security." His comments come in the wake of recent fatal shootings involving ICE in Minneapolis, which have heightened tensions.
Sala emphasised that the organisation represents a threat, calling it "a militia that kills... of course they're not welcome in Milan." This strong language reflects broader unease in Italy over the potential implications of having ICE agents on Italian soil during the prestigious international sporting event.
Security Justifications and Italian Outrage
According to Attilio Fontana, the governor of the Lombardy region, ICE's presence is intended to protect high-profile US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are scheduled to attend the Olympics. However, this justification has done little to quell the outrage spreading across Italy.
One political party echoed Sala's sentiments, stating, "ICE is the militia that shoots people on the streets of Minneapolis and takes children away from their families." This highlights the agency's controversial reputation, particularly regarding human rights issues, which has become a focal point of the debate.
ICE's Response and European Concerns
In response to the criticism, ICE clarified that its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit is supporting the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and host nation efforts. The agency aims to "vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organisations." ICE also assured that "all security operations remain under Italian authority," and it would "obviously" not conduct immigration operations in Italy.
Despite these assurances, European Parliament member Alessandro Zan voiced strong opposition, saying, "In Italy, we don't want those who trample on human rights and act outside of any democratic control." This underscores a broader European concern about the alignment of security practices with democratic values.
Olympic Context and Team GB Hopes
The Milan-Cortina Olympics are set to begin next Friday, with Team GB aiming for their best-ever performance at a Winter Games. The controversy over ICE adds a layer of political tension to the event, which traditionally focuses on athletic achievement and international cooperation.
In the previous Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022, the United States finished third in the medal table, behind Norway and Germany, while Italy placed 13th out of 29 medalling nations. This backdrop of competitive spirit now intersects with diplomatic and security disputes, making the 2026 Games a closely watched affair beyond the sports arena.
