Italians Express Concern About ICE Deployment to Olympics
The Italians are fighting back at U.S. plans to improve security for American athletes and diplomats at the upcoming Winter Olympics by sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the Games. Here is a look at what is behind the decision to deploy ICE agents to Italy and how the Italian government and its citizens are responding.
ICE Agents Planning to Serve in Security at the Winter Olympic Games
The decision by the U.S. State Department to send ICE to Italy to serve in a security role at the Olympics is drawing ire from the Italians. ICE's Homeland Security Investigations division has been tapped to bolster security during the Games, led by the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is defending the deployment of the agents, saying that they will not be conducting immigration enforcement operations in Italy. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said that sending ICE agents has been a common practice at past Olympic Games.
McLaughlin said that all of the security operations at this year's Games will remain under the authority and direction of the Italians. Instead, ICE will only be on-site to "vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations."
Lawmakers and leaders in Italy are urging Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to take action to block the ICE agents’ presence in their country. The calls to prohibit the ICE agents from serving at the Games have intensified after the two fatal shootings of American citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis. The unrest in Minneapolis in recent weeks has thrust the issue onto the international stage, now spilling over to the Olympics.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met with U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta earlier in the week to discuss the issue. According to the Interior Ministry, only ICE’s investigative arm will be present at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. The ministry confirmed that the U.S. agency will work within its own diplomatic missions and not on the ground.
In an effort to distance itself from the controversy, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is making a point to emphasize that it does not partner with law enforcement or immigration agencies when planning the Games. USOPC released a statement saying that it works in coordination with DSS, the host nation, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure proper security. The statement noted that DSS will only be serving in "a liaison and advisory capacity," rather than being involved in direct law enforcement or immigration activities while in Italy.
Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, is also giving reassurances that ICE agents are not coming to Italy to conduct law enforcement operations. Tajani said that ICE will simply be there in a collaborative role, telling Italian radio station RAI that the agents are part of the unit responsible for counterterrorism.
Political Leaders and Italian Citizens Speaking Out Against Planned ICE Deployment
On the other side of the controversy, former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged the nation's current government to “set our own limits” and “make clear decisions.” Conte posted on X on Tuesday that the Italians cannot allow the ICE agents to come to the Milan-Cortina Olympics. He went on to accuse the Italian government of trying to "downplay the situation."
Also on Tuesday, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said that local authorities do not need ICE's help in implementing security. Sala was direct in his approach, telling local radio that the ICE agents are not welcome in his city. The mayor referred to ICE as a "militia that kills." Sala added that ICE should not come to Italy because they have not guaranteed that they are in alignment with how local authorities plan to secure the Games.
Residents are also protesting the planned presence of ICE in Milan. Several petitions are circulating asking for the local government to intervene to prevent the deployment. The criticism has also been vocal by Americans living in Milan, expressing their worries that ICE does not even have jurisdiction in Italy.
The XXV Winter Olympics are scheduled to kick off on February 6, lasting through February 22. The Games will be spread out across Northeast Italy and the Lombardy region, with the bulk of the events happening in Milan or Cortina. The Olympics will take place against the backdrop of much political unrest on a global scale, including widespread conflict in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine.
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