Protests Erupt in Italy Over Trump’s ICE Agents at the Olympics

Italy sees anti-ICE protests linked to Trump during Olympic spotlight as tensions flared this weekend in Milan over the decision by the US president to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist with security ahead of the Winter Games opening next Friday. Hundreds of demonstrators marched through Piazza XXV Aprile, voicing outrage not only over the planned role of ICE but also the deadly confrontations involving the agency in the United States that have drawn global attention and protests.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, a federal immigration agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good earlier in January during an enforcement operation, a killing that triggered widespread protests and national debate over ICE tactics. Days later, another incident in Minneapolis resulted in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal officers during anti-ICE protests, intensifying criticism of federal immigration enforcement practices. These events have resonated far beyond US borders, prompting expressions of anger and calls for accountability from civil rights groups, community leaders, and citizens concerned about the use of force by federal agencies.

Beyond the immediate demonstrations in Milan, the controversy has deepened suspicion about the broader intent behind Washington's move, with critics arguing that the justifications offered by the Trump administration do little to ease concerns. Officials have maintained that the ICE unit, operating under the Department of Homeland Security, will help «monitor for criminal activity» and conduct «no immigration operations», but detractors in Italy and abroad view this as largely semantic given the agency's recent lethal encounters in Minneapolis.

Many observers have interpreted the deployment as an extension of federal enforcement tools into an international setting at a moment when the agency's actions have already sparked nationwide protest movements and civil rights inquiries in the United States, including a federal civil rights investigation into the Pretti shooting. The presence of a highly politicised and controversial security force on foreign soil — especially under the spotlight of the Olympic Games — has amplified unease among Italian officials, human rights organisations, and everyday citizens who question whether the decision aligns with the spirit of international cooperation that the Olympics are meant to represent.

Many protesters in Milan and on social media have sought to send a clear message to the United States that ICE is not welcome in Italy, a sentiment echoed by several public officials ahead of the Winter Olympics opening Friday. Local residents waving banners and chanting at rallies in central squares made opposition to the planned deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents a central theme of their demonstrations, reflecting broader unease over the agency's reputation and recent controversial actions abroad. Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, expressed his city's stance directly to the Associated Press, emphasising local official resistance as the city prepared to host the opening ceremony on February 6, which will be attended by the U.S. Vice President, JD Vance. Sala said of ICE: «This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt.» His remarks crystallised the intersection of local political sentiment and international scrutiny surrounding the decision to involve ICE personnel in aspects of Olympic security and risk mitigation, even as U.S. officials maintain that their role will be limited and non-enforcement in nature.

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