Milan erupts in protest over US ICE agents at Winter Olympics

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Milan on Saturday to protest the arrival of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who will provide security support during the Winter Olympics beginning February 6. The protests mark a significant moment of tension between Italy and the United States as the Games approach, with local officials and activists voicing strong opposition to the agency's presence despite assurances that the agents will not conduct immigration enforcement operations.

The demonstration took place at Piazza XXV Aprile, a square named for Italy's liberation from Nazi fascism in 1945. Protesters from left-leaning political groups, trade unions, and organizations dedicated to preserving Italy's World War II history gathered to voice their concerns. Organizers distributed plastic whistles and music blared from a van as participants held banners with messages opposing the deployment.

Background

The controversy surrounding ICE's involvement at the Milan Olympics reflects broader tensions in Italy over recent US immigration enforcement activities. The protests were triggered by announcements that agents from the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement division would be deployed to support diplomatic security details for the American delegation.

The US Embassy told the Associated Press that ICE agents would work alongside diplomatic security personnel and would not run any immigration enforcement operations. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement clarifying that ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries.

However, the timing of this deployment comes after high-profile immigration enforcement operations in American cities, particularly in Minneapolis, where controversial scenes of ICE agents have drawn international attention. These images have fueled Italian concerns about the agency's methods and practices.

Key Details

The specific unit being sent to Milan is Homeland Security Investigations, an ICE division that focuses on cross-border crimes and frequently provides security support at international events like the Olympics. This unit differs from Enforcement and Removal Operations, the arm of ICE most visible in recent immigration crackdowns across US cities.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala emerged as a vocal opponent of the deployment, telling RTL Radio 102 that ICE agents would not be welcome in the city.

"This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt." – Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala

Sala's comments reference the controversial methods used in recent immigration enforcement operations in American cities, particularly the armed raids and confrontations that have drawn criticism domestically and internationally.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi took a different stance, saying he did not see what the problem would be with ICE's presence, according to the ANSA news agency. However, the controversy has escalated to the national level, with Interior Minister Piantedosi called to Parliament to testify about the deployment.

The Protesters' Perspective

Protester Silvana Grassi held a sign comparing ICE to the Gestapo, the secret police force of Nazi Germany. She expressed deep concern about the images of ICE agents in Minneapolis shooting and killing protesters and detaining children.

"It makes me want to cry to think of it. It's too terrible. How did they elect such a terrible, evil man?" – Silvana Grassi, protester

Another protester, Paolo Bortoletto, acknowledged that the officers would have an investigative role rather than a street-level role, but said their presence remained unwelcome.

"We don't want them in our country. We are a peaceful country. We don't want fascists. It's their ideas that bother us." – Paolo Bortoletto, protester

The banners carried by protesters conveyed their message clearly. One read "No thank you, from Minnesota to the world, at the side of anyone who fights for human rights." Another stated "Never again means never again for anyone," connecting the protest to Italy's historical memory of fascism. A third offered a lighter touch: "Ice only in Spritz," a reference to the popular Italian aperitif.

The protest drew people from across Italy's left-leaning political spectrum, including members of the Democratic Party, the CGIL trade union confederation, and ANPI, organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of Italy's partisan resistance during World War II.

What This Means

The deployment of ICE agents at the Milan Olympics has become far more than a routine security arrangement. It reflects how recent US immigration enforcement policies have created diplomatic complications and sparked international concern about American practices.

US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony, ensuring high-level American presence at an event now marked by significant public opposition to US government agencies.

The controversy also highlights divisions within Italy itself. While Mayor Sala and protesters view the ICE presence as unacceptable, Interior Minister Piantedosi has taken a more pragmatic approach. This split between local and national authorities suggests ongoing debate within Italy about how to respond to the deployment.

The timing is particularly sensitive given that the Olympics are meant to showcase Milan and Italy on the world stage. Instead, the Games are beginning amid public protests and diplomatic friction over American law enforcement practices. Whether the controversy will continue to dominate headlines as the Games proceed remains to be seen.