Italian government says ICE agents will have limited role at Olympics

Italy says U.S. ICE agents travelling to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will remain at U.S. diplomatic premises and serve in support roles; U.S. Homeland Security said HSI will assist U.S. Diplomatic Security while Italian authorities retain operational control.

Italy moved quickly to address concerns after reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were being sent to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The Interior Minister said the officers will remain at the U.S. consulate in Milan and be assigned diplomatic security and support roles. U.S. Homeland Security described the personnel as part of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and said they would support the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and host-nation efforts to assess and mitigate risks. The deployment drew objections from some local and European officials. Key facts: - Italy's Interior Minister announced the ICE officers would operate from U.S. diplomatic premises in Milan rather than conducting street-level immigration enforcement. - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said HSI personnel will support the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and assist the host nation in vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations. - Homeland Security stated that ICE does not carry out immigration enforcement in foreign countries and that overall security operations at the Olympics remain under Italian authority. - Local and European politicians publicly objected to the presence of ICE agents, and some called for measures such as travel restrictions for the personnel. Summary: Italian officials and U.S. Homeland Security emphasize that ICE/HSI agents assigned to the Olympics will perform diplomatic-support functions and that Italy retains operational control of security. Undetermined at this time.