ICE officers at a protest in Los Angeles last summer.Image: www.imago-images.de
January 27, 2026, 1:30 p.mJanuary 27, 2026, 1:30 p.m
Officials from the controversial immigration agency ICE are to be involved in on-site security at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo on behalf of the US government.
This was reported by the AP news agency, citing the US Embassy in Rome. The ICE officers are supposed to support the security service of the US State Department and not carry out immigration control measures.
As things currently stand, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take part in the grand opening ceremony of the Winter Games on February 6th. The presence and work of ICE officers should be limited to their safety. Federal authorities had already supported security for US diplomats at previous Olympic Games, AP reported.
Milan mayor rejects ICE
The possible deployment of officials from the authority is causing excitement in the host country of the Winter Games. The mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, rejects their presence. «As mayor of Milan and as an Italian, I definitely don’t want this private police force to come to Milan. This is a police force that acts and kills completely illegally.”
The authority has come under criticism after the fatal shooting of two US citizens during their operations. At the beginning of January, Renée Good was killed by shots from an ICE officer. Last Saturday, nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal officers during an operation. There are protests across the country against US President Donald Trump’s deportation policy and the actions of the emergency services.
Fuss over rapper’s appearance
In Italy, rapper Ghali’s planned appearance at the opening ceremony of the upcoming Winter Olympics is also causing a stir. The right-wing populist ruling party Lega criticized the appearance of the Italian artist with Tunisian roots.
“It is really unbelievable to have an Israel hater and enemy of the center-right camp at the opening ceremony,” the Ansa news agency quoted party circles as saying. The opening ceremony will take place on February 6th.
Ghali is known for his pro-Palestinian positions. During an appearance at the Sanremo Music Festival two years ago, he said “Stop the genocide!” after his singing performance. and thus caused heated controversy. Israel’s ambassador in Rome accused the rapper of spreading “hatred and provocations.” The public broadcaster Rai, which broadcasts the festival, later distanced itself from Ghali’s statement.
Sharp criticism from the ruling party
The ruling Lega party fears that the opening ceremony with additional stars could be politicized. “The Winter Games will be an extraordinary showcase for Italy before the eyes of the world, an event made reality through years of hard work,” it said. “Italy and the Games deserve an artist, not a pro-Palestinian fanatic.”
Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi emphasized that the opening show was aimed at respect. This excludes the risks of “free interpretation” by individual artists. However, the opposition is criticizing the debate. “The attacks against Ghali are completely unacceptable: on the one hand there is Minister Abodi, who wants preventive censorship, on the other hand the Lega, who attacks him with insults,” said the social democratic PD party.
Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli also appear
Ghali himself has not yet commented on the debate surrounding his appearance at the big show on February 6th, which will officially open the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. US singer Mariah Carey, star tenor Andrea Bocelli and Italian Laura Pausini will also appear there. (pre/sda)