Milan welcomed officials of the nearly 250 U.S. Athletes slated to compete in this month’s Winter Olympics, only to find hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Piazza XXV Aprile to protest a reported plan to deploy U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the Games.
Protest and official reactions
The protests unfolded beneath the neoclassical Porta Garibaldi arch, a square named for Italy’s liberation from Nazi fascism. Mayor Giuseppe Sala called ICE “a militia that kills” and declared the agency unwelcome in Milan. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry described the agents’ involvement as “distracting” and “sad.”
Demonstrators waved whistles and displayed signs that turned the Olympic rings into handcuffs, bearing the slogan “No ICE in Milan.” One poster featured the faces of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the Minnesota men killed by federal agents, alongside Liam Conejo Ramos, a five‑year‑old boy taken from Minneapolis to a Texas detention center.
“All the videos are public and everyone can see what’s happening,” 18‑year‑old demonstrator Bruna Scanziani told reporters. “The perception of America has changed.”
U.S. Agency involvement and security arrangements
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that ICE personnel would be in Italy, but clarified they belong to the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit, which focuses on cross‑border crime. Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta said the agents’ role in Milan will be strictly advisory and intelligence‑based.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) emphasized that This proves working with the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, not ICE, for security. The USOPC stated that Italian authorities hold sole responsibility for all security operations at the Games.
In the days before the opening ceremony, visible security was modest compared with the Paris Olympics. Camouflage‑clad Italian soldiers briefly patrolled Linate Airport, and small contingents of soldiers stood at Piazza del Duomo while tourists photographed the Gothic cathedral.
Political backdrop
Analysts note that European anger is amplified by recent U.S. Foreign‑policy moves, including President Trump’s actions in Venezuela, threats toward Iran, and a controversial statement about taking control of Greenland. A poll by the Paris‑based platform Le Grand Continent found that many European far‑right parties now view the U.S. President as an “enemy of Europe.”
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a Middle East studies fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute, warned that the U.S. Team—232 athletes, the largest national contingent—could become a “convenient foil for European wrath.” He cited the 2004 Athens Games, when the U.S. Team was booed following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as a precedent for political backlash against athletes.
Some Italians, however, expect the protests to remain focused on policy rather than the athletes themselves. One local woman, who asked not to be named, said the U.S. Athletes “will not be targeted by the protests” and noted that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s supportive stance toward President Trump may have tempered public opposition.
Opening ceremonies and athlete outlook
Four opening ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, with the main event at San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific time. Smaller ceremonies will occur simultaneously in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme.
Bobsledder Azaria Hill, a first‑time Olympian with a family legacy in the Summer Games, expressed optimism: “Olympics brings all the nations together… I perceive everything will be fine.”
To distance athletes from political controversy, U.S. Governing bodies for figure skating, speedskating and hockey renamed their Milan hospitality venue the “Winter House,” abandoning the original “Ice House” moniker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are protesters targeting ICE agents at the Olympics?
Demonstrators are opposing the reported deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, viewing the agency as a symbol of controversial immigration enforcement practices. The protests feature references to recent ICE‑related incidents, such as the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the detention of five‑year‑old Liam Conejo Ramos.
What specific role will the U.S. Agents play in Milan?
According to Homeland Security officials, the agents sent to Milan belong to Homeland Security Investigations and will provide advisory and intelligence support only. They are not tasked with immigration enforcement duties.
Has politics ever affected the U.S. Olympic teams before?
Yes. The article cites the 2004 Athens Summer Games, where the U.S. Team was booed after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Analysts note that the visibility of national flags and uniforms can make athletes an easy target for political expression.
How do you think the interplay of security concerns and political protest might shape the experience of athletes and spectators at the Milan‑Cortina Games?
