A senior United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) security official has delivered an unequivocal denial that agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are providing security for the American delegation at the Winter Olympics in Milan. The clarification comes amid significant public backlash and protests in the Italian host city.
Official Statement on ICE Absence
Nicole Deal, the Chief of Security and Athlete Services for the USOPC, addressed reporters directly on Thursday, just over twenty-four hours before the opening ceremony was scheduled to commence. "I can tell you unequivocally that there are no ICE agents that are part of the Team USA delegation on the ground here in Milan," Deal stated firmly, aiming to dispel what she described as widespread misinformation.
Protests and Political Backlash
The statement follows organised demonstrations that took place in Milan last weekend, triggered by initial reports suggesting ICE agents were being dispatched to Italy for the Games. These protests, under the banner "ICE OUT," were a direct response to those claims, with another rally planned for Friday. Italy's interior minister had previously dismissed the concerns as baseless earlier in the week.
The controversy is set against a backdrop of intense criticism directed at ICE and Border Patrol agents within the United States. This criticism stems from their enforcement of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies, which recently resulted in the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis last month.
Clarifying Security Arrangements
While denying ICE's involvement with the Team USA delegation, Deal outlined the actual security structure in place. A small contingent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which operates under ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, will be present. However, their role is confined to the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) joint operations centre in Milan, where they will focus solely on information sharing.
Separate protective details have been arranged for high-profile US officials attending the event. The DSS will provide security for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while the Secret Service is responsible for the protection of Vice President JD Vance. Both officials arrived in Milan on Thursday.
Addressing Misinformation
In her remarks, Deal attributed the public outcry and protests to a fundamental misunderstanding of the security requirements for a major international event like the Olympic Games. "I think when it comes to securing major events, a lot of people don't know what the capacities and capabilities and resources that are needed, so there's a lot of misinformation and assumptions that are made," she explained.
She specifically identified the belief that ICE was actively securing the Games as a prime example of such inaccuracy. "I think this inaccuracy that ICE is here on the ground securing the Games was one of those. So I'm glad we were able to set the record straight and provide on the ground truth that ICE is not part of the Team USA delegation," Deal concluded, emphasising her commitment to transparency.
