US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are on the ground in Italy for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, which begin February 6. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed their presence last week, stating ICE would work with State Department teams to "vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations" - not conduct immigration enforcement.
The timing is problematic. Two civilians, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were recently killed by US immigration agents in Minneapolis during domestic enforcement operations. That context explains why Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala told local radio that ICE agents were "not welcome" in his city. Hundreds protested in Milan's Piazza XXV Aprile on Saturday.
US officials say such security arrangements are standard for Olympics delegations. ICE will focus on protecting Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are attending the opening ceremony. Italy maintains operational control of overall security, deploying more than 6,000 personnel.
Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi claimed ignorance of ICE's presence initially but said he saw no issue with it. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a frequent Trump ally, hasn't commented publicly.
Qatar also deployed security forces - over 100 officers, 20 camouflage SUVs, and three snowmobiles arrived at Milan's Malpensa Airport on January 27. The contingent, drawing on Qatar's experience hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is working with Italian authorities on venue monitoring and risk prevention.
The real question is whether this becomes a blueprint for future international events. Host nations typically handle security with domestic resources. The presence of foreign law enforcement agencies - particularly controversial ones - sets a precedent worth watching.
What happens after the Games close on February 22 matters more than the next two weeks. The backlash suggests limits to how European publics will tolerate US domestic policy controversies crossing borders, even for high-profile events.