Milan residents oppose dispatch of U.S. immigration agents at Winter Olympics

Residents in the Italian city of Milan have voiced their strong opposition to the dispatch of U.S. immigration enforcement personnel at the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Their objection came following a recent announcement by the U.S. State Department in which it said that several American agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), would take part in Olympic security arrangements.

Residents in Milan say that they do not welcome U.S. immigration enforcement personnel given the aggressive tactics deployed by ICE agents in the U.S., especially following the fatal shootings on the streets of Minneapolis last month that sparked nationwide protests.

"If those coming were responsible for security work, I would agree with that. But what is coming instead are people from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That is not meaningful. They are responsible for immigration enforcement, not security. I think what has been happening recently in the United States against Immigration and Customs Enforcement might lead them to send other people instead," said a Milan resident named Roberto.

Another local resident said Italy is fully capable of ensuring safety during the Games.

"I firmly believe our country has the ability to guarantee the security of the Winter Olympics and also the safety of American athletes. So I do not know what purpose they would serve by coming here," said a local resident named Paola.

Others also voiced concern about potential diplomatic consequences.

"I think it is wrong for U.S. law enforcement officers to come. They are here to protect American athletes, but I do not think they can play any real role. Our police have no problems. I believe they should not come. I am not afraid of them, but I worry that if they do something in Italy, it could have serious consequences at the international level," said Achille, another resident.

The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22.

Since reports revealing that the U.S. immigration enforcement personnel might be involved in Olympic security, opposition has spread rapidly across Italy.

On January 28, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta confirmed that officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would not conduct patrols or carry out law enforcement during the Games, stressing that their role would be strictly limited to consultation and intelligence sharing. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has previously said in an interview that the city does "not welcome" personnel from that agency.

Milan residents oppose dispatch of U.S. immigration agents at Winter Olympics

Milan residents oppose dispatch of U.S. immigration agents at Winter Olympics

Milan residents oppose dispatch of U.S. immigration agents at Winter Olympics

At least 21 more Palestinians, including children and a paramedic, were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, said the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense, said that the Israeli army had been carrying out artillery and airstrikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip since dawn, targeting tents sheltering displaced people and residential buildings.

In the latest attack, an Israeli drone struck a tent housing displaced people in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, killing three, including two women and a paramedic, according to Basal.

"All the children were terrified and screaming because of the sound of the bombardment. My children ran toward me because of the explosions. I tried to calm them down, but smoke was everywhere around us," said Fatima Al-Astal, a displaced Palestinian woman living near the attacked tent.

"Paramedic Hussein was among the first ambulance crews to arrive at the scene. He managed to retrieve two bodies. Due to the large number of casualties, he was forced to return again to rescue the injured. At that moment, the area was targeted once more, which led to his killing," said Yassin Mutair, director of the Khan Younis Ambulance Center.

Basal added that 14 people, including three children and five women, were killed and several others were wounded in artillery shelling on the outskirts of the Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods east of Gaza City. Some of the wounded were taken to Al-Shifa Medical Complex.

Earlier, four people, including a child, were killed in Israeli artillery shelling that targeted tents sheltering displaced people in the Qizan Rashwan area south of Khan Younis. The victims were taken to Nasser Medical Complex in the city.

Also on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that militants opened fire on its troops during routine operations near the northern Gaza border, severely injuring an Israeli reserve officer.

"Upon identifying the fire, IDF armored units and IAF aircraft conducted precise strikes in the area. The IDF views this attack as a blatant violation of the current ceasefire agreement," it said.

In response, Hamas dismissed the Israeli claim as a "flimsy pretext" to justify continued killings in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli escalation was "an attempt to impose a permanent reality of abuse and terrorism in Gaza," in flagrant disregard for the terms of the ceasefire agreement and existing understandings, Hamas said, calling for immediate international pressure to stop Israel's violations.

Since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on Oct. 10, 2025, Israel has killed 556 Palestinians and wounded 1,500 others, according to Gaza-based health authorities on Wednesday.

At least 21 more Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza Strip: civil defense