Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters via Imagn Images

Huge Protest Erupts In Milan Over ICE Presence Ahead Of Winter Olympics

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Swati Bhatia | Last updated Jan 31, 2026 1:37 PM ET

The 2026 Winter Olympics have been in the spotlight long before the opening ceremony, and not for the right reasons. In December, the event faced severe backlash over construction delays and concerns around the ice quality and size at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. While organizers have since made improvements and addressed many of those issues, a new controversy has emerged, shifting the focus away from athletes.

On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at Piazza XXV Aprile in Milan for an anti-ICE protest after it was confirmed that a unit from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would deploy to Italy during the Winter Olympics.

Several protesters were seen holding handwritten cardboard signs with strong anti-ICE messages. One sign read “ICE OUT NOW”, while other placards carried messages accusing ICE of violence and abuse, with phrases such as “STOP THE GESTAPO ICE” and “ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT” visible in the crowd.

HAPPENING NOW IN MILAN

Hundreds of people have gathered at Piazza XXV Aprile in Milan for an anti-ICE protest.

This comes after it was announced an ICE unit will deploy to Italy for the Winter Olympics. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said that ICE would not be welcome in his city. pic.twitter.com/qHmMBlehqr
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) January 31, 2026

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala publicly backed the protestors, saying ICE would not be welcome in his city.

Fact Check: Is ICE Being Deployed to Italy for the Winter Olympics?

It is important to note that HSI is different from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations unit, which is responsible for immigration arrests and deportations in the United States. HSI focuses on cross-border crimes such as trafficking, fraud, and international security threats. Currently, there is no indication that immigration enforcement officers are being sent to Italy.

HSI has previously sent officers to international events, including past Olympic Games, to assist with security. However, fans and sections of the Italian media may not have fully understood the distinction between the two units, which appears to have led to the street protests.

Notably, public anger toward the Trump administration’s ICE operations has grown stronger after two deadly incidents involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

The Winter Olympics are set to begin on February 6, with the opening ceremony expected to be attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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