Winter Olympics ICE Protests In Italy Go Viral
The ICE protests are not only happening in the United States: they have also crossed the Atlantic to Italy in the lead-up to the 2026 Winter Olympics, which begin in Milan Cortina on Friday, February 6.
Last week, news that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be present at the games sparked a nationwide backlash. Although the US Department of Homeland Security clarified that the agents are not there to “conduct immigration enforcement operations” and that security would remain under Italian authority, protesters took to the streets to object to their presence.
Hundreds of protesters in Milan gathered in Piazza XXV Aprile, a square named in honor of the date of Italy’s liberation from Nazi fascism in 1945. They held signs, whistled and spoke with journalists.
“I wanted to send a clear, easy-to-read message that clearly shows that ICE… [I] doesn’t really approve of the behavior of ICE agents in the United States. This is why I came here today,” said one protester in Milan, speaking with CNN about his homemade sign.
“This should be a time to calm down, think about sport, come together through sport, and maybe even start to reason a little and change your attitude about many things, open up,” said another protester in Milan, speaking in Italian about the Olympics. “That’s what sport is for. It’s not for sending messages other than peace, tolerance and openness. And that’s absolutely not that, and it’s not necessary. It’s not necessary.”
Across the country, Italians have expressed their concerns. “We absolutely don’t want it. We don’t want this world,” Rome resident Michela Penna said in Italian in an interview with CBC.
“They can keep them. In fact, they should lock them all up because they are Nazi lunatics. Calling them fascists is an understatement,” she continued.
In response to initial backlash, the Italian government further clarified the role of ICE agents at the Olympics. “We have to look at the real responsibilities of ICE agents. If they come, they will come to cooperate, not in the streets, but to cooperate with the police, just like police forces in other countries do,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
But Italian opposition parties remain worried. Italian opposition MPs brandished “ICE? NO, GRAZIE!” signs at a meeting in Lombardy. Some have called for ICE agents to be barred from entering the country altogether.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala echoed these concerns, saying ICE would not be welcome in his city. “It’s a militia that kills. It’s a militia that enters people’s homes by signing permits themselves,” he told an Italian radio station. “It is clear that they are not welcome in Milan, there is no doubt about that.”
As videos of the protests spread online, people around the world shared their confusion, concerns and support in the comments.
“why would ICE even be in ITALY?????😭,” one wrote.
“There is no reason for there to be ice. It’s ridiculous and a waste of resources,” said another.
“ICE is not a police force. It provides immigration and customs enforcement for the United States. Immigration and customs enforcement for the United States has nothing to do with the Olympics in Italy,” someone else echoed.
And finally, this person wrote: “Thank you, Italian friends! Americans deeply appreciate this!
With the opening ceremony just days away, it remains unclear whether ICE’s presence will change in response to the backlash. For now, protests in Italy and online criticism show no signs of abating.
