ICE agents to support U.S. security at Winter Olympics prompt Italian backlash

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agents will assist the State Department with security for U.S. delegations at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb. 6–22, and several Italian politicians and groups have publicly objected to their presence.

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents are set to back up the U.S. State Department's security team for American delegations at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, a U.S. embassy source said. The source said the agents will not carry out immigration enforcement while in Italy and that Italian authorities retain overall security control. The confirmation of the deployment has led to public objections from some Italian politicians and groups. Key details: - HSI agents are reported to be assisting State Department security for U.S. delegations at the Feb. 6–22 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, according to a U.S. embassy source. - The embassy source said the agents will not perform immigration enforcement while in Italy. - Italian politicians and civic groups have criticized the planned presence of ICE-affiliated agents. - A trade union has announced a planned "ICE OUT" rally in Milan on Feb. 6, the opening day of the Games. Summary: Italian political figures and groups have raised objections to the U.S. security deployment, while U.S. officials say the HSI agents will focus on transnational crime-related roles and will not conduct immigration enforcement. The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics begin on Feb. 6, and the planned Milan rally is scheduled for that same day. Officials have not announced changes to the deployment.