The United States Embassy in Rome has formally clarified the operational capacity of its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel during the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta explicitly stated that the deployed Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit will function solely in an advisory and intelligence-gathering capacity, with no authority for patrolling or enforcement actions on Italian soil.
This official statement, issued following a high-level meeting with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, directly addresses the significant public controversy that erupted in Italy upon news of the agency’s deployment. The presence of ICE has become a sensitive political issue, drawing strong condemnation from opposition parties and sparking plans for public demonstrations in Rome and Milan.
The controversy stems from ICE’s notorious reputation in the United States for its aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which have frequently triggered large-scale protests. Ambassador Fertitta sought to distinguish the incoming HSI agents, emphasizing their focus on combating transnational criminal enterprises. Their mandate for the Games will center on providing intelligence related to cybercrimes, national security threats, human smuggling networks, narcotics trafficking, and other cross-border illicit activities.
Italian authorities had initially denied any ICE involvement before later downplaying their role, suggesting their function would be limited to securing the U.S. delegation. The government now faces mounting pressure to formally reject the deployment entirely. The opening ceremony on February 6th at Milan’s San Siro stadium is expected to be attended by high-profile U.S. officials, including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ensuring the event remains under intense international scrutiny.