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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 amid the announcement that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be deployed to this year’s Games. U.S. Embassy officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that ICE agents would support diplomatic security details and would not execute any immigration enforcement operations.
“Obviously, 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 demonstration, 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 anyone who fights for human rights,” one banner read, according to The Associated Press. Another said: “Ice only in Spritz.”
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said ICE would not be welcome in the city and cited images of masked officers in Minneapolis. Milan will host most of the events during the Olympic Games which begin on February 6.
People take part in an Anti-ICE demonstration, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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“This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters people’s homes, signing their own permits. It is clear that they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,” Sala told RTL Radio 102 before ICE’s alleged involvement in security was revealed.
However, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said on Saturday that while he had no information that ICE would be at the Olympics, he did not “see what the problem would be,” according to the ANSA news agency.
People take part in an Anti-ICE demonstration, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony.
