ICE will not conduct security, enforcement activity at Olympics: USOPC
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) says it is not working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, despite earlier statements by the Department of Homeland Security.
“The USOPC does not work with U.S. domestic law-enforcement or immigration agencies in the planning or execution of the Games, including agencies within the Department of Homeland Security often referred to as ICE,” the Olympic Committee said in a statement to Straight Arrow News.
The USOPC noted that Italian authorities are solely responsible for security during the Games, but it does collaborate with the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) in an advisory role.
“DSS operates in a liaison and advisory capacity, working closely with Italian law enforcement and security services, and does not conduct law-enforcement, immigration, or policing activities in Italy,” the statement said. “All security activity takes place under Italian leadership and in accordance with Italian law.”
For the 2024 Paris Olympics, the DSS advised French law enforcement agencies on “best practices” ahead of the Games, but the agency did not share whether it played a role during the event.
Homeland Security’s comments cause confusion
The clarification from USOPC comes after reports that ICE agents would join the State Department’s security team for the Games, sparking outrage and talk of protests in Italy.
Reports began circulating over the weekend that ICE would be deployed in some capacity, but the details were limited. The statement caused Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, to weigh in, saying ICE would not be welcome in his city, which is hosting the opening ceremony and many of the events.
“This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips,” Sala said. “It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt.”
On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security said ICE agents would join the security team “to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations.” Italy’s Interior Ministry clarified that a unit of ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, would be stationed in a control room and serve in a support role.
The ministry noted the personnel will “not include personnel involved in immigration controls in the United States.”
“All of the security operations in the territory remain as always the exclusive responsibility and direction of Italian authorities,” the ministry said.
That clarification, however, went widely unnoticed, with many taking to social media to protest against ICE’s involvement in the Games.
Now, the USOPC is putting rumors to bed with its statement and clarification. Read the full USOPC statement below:
We are aware of recent reporting circulating about security arrangements for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. That reporting is inaccurate, and we believe it is important to provide clear, factual clarification regarding the respective roles of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and Italian authorities.
As with every Olympic and Paralympic Games for more than three decades, the USOPC works in coordination with DSS, the International Olympic Committee, and the host nation to support Games security planning, consistent with longstanding international Olympic and Paralympic practice. The USOPC does not work with U.S. domestic law-enforcement or immigration agencies in the planning or execution of the Games, including agencies within the Department of Homeland Security often referred to as ICE.
Italian authorities are solely responsible for all security operations at the Games. DSS operates in a liaison and advisory capacity, working closely with Italian law enforcement and security services, and does not conduct law-enforcement, immigration, or policing activities in Italy. All security activity takes place under Italian leadership and in accordance with Italian law.
The United States and Italy have a long history of cooperation to ensure the safety and security of athletes, spectators, and delegations at major international events, and that partnership will continue throughout the Milano–Cortina Games.
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
