Italian authorities are up in arms over the revelation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be part of the security team at next month's Winter Olympics in Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Critics point fingers at the Trump administration, labeling ICE as a "militia that kills," citing two fatal shootings by federal officers in Minnesota this month. The city's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, has called for an end to what he sees as U.S. immigration crackdowns, stating it's unacceptable to have agency operating with such violent methods in Italy.
The role of Homeland Security Investigations, a part of ICE focused on transnational crime, raises eyebrows. It is indeed a division that often works internationally but its association with the US immigration service has stirred up public ire.
According to government officials, however, there will be no enforcement operations conducted by ICE within Italy. They say their investigative component will support the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and local authorities in vetting risks from transnational criminal organizations at the Olympics.
Critics point fingers at the Trump administration, labeling ICE as a "militia that kills," citing two fatal shootings by federal officers in Minnesota this month. The city's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, has called for an end to what he sees as U.S. immigration crackdowns, stating it's unacceptable to have agency operating with such violent methods in Italy.
The role of Homeland Security Investigations, a part of ICE focused on transnational crime, raises eyebrows. It is indeed a division that often works internationally but its association with the US immigration service has stirred up public ire.
According to government officials, however, there will be no enforcement operations conducted by ICE within Italy. They say their investigative component will support the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and local authorities in vetting risks from transnational criminal organizations at the Olympics.
They should focus on security instead of immigration stuff, right? I mean, it's one event, can't we just let people enjoy it without all this drama? 
And what's up with Homeland Security Investigations being part of ICE anyway? It seems so contradictory... 
Don't get me wrong, we need to keep an eye on crime and all, but this feels like a big deal for no reason. 
Italy's mayor is right, though, U.S. immigration crackdowns shouldn't be a thing in our country either! 
... I get why some people are upset about the whole thing, especially with all that drama going on back home. But think about it, they're gonna have undercover agents keeping an eye out for potential threats and helping out with security measures... it's like having a extra layer of protection 
. I mean, we know ICE has had its problems in the past, but is it really fair to generalize them as some kind of "militia that kills" 
. We should give 'em a chance to prove themselves 
... i mean, the us is supposed to be a country that values human rights and justice? having ICE agents at the olympics in italy is like, super weird especially with all the recent stuff happening in minnesota where federal officers were involved in fatal shootings... can't they just leave the security duties to local authorities instead of bringing in an agency that's got such a bad rep? 
This revelation about ICE agents at the Winter Olympics is making everyone uneasy, especially considering the recent fatal shootings by federal officers. The fact that they'll be working with local authorities but still have a presence of their own agency is unsettling. It's like having one foot in and one foot out - does it make sense to have an immigration service present during a major international event? 
. Like, I get it, safety first and all that jazz, but come on, can't they find a way to balance security with being super cool? I mean, the Olympics are supposed to be fun, not a battleground. And don't even get me started on the whole "militia that kills" thing - two fatal shootings in Minnesota? That's just crazy! 
) - but this whole thing just feels... wrong. And can we please just have a more chill Olympics? 
and i'm seeing a lot of memes already 
. anyway, did you know that ICE has around 20,000 employees? 
.
. 40% of athletes participating in the Olympics are from the US 
. that's a lot! and since there won't be any enforcement operations, it's probs just gonna be some symbolic presence 
I mean, come on, when are they gonna be honest with us? It's not like it's a secret. They said their investigation part won't do any enforcing, but what about all those "support" roles? It's just a way to have one foot in the door. Italy's already got enough security concerns without some US agents running around. And don't even get me started on the two shootings this month... 
that's like, exactly why we shouldn't be welcoming ICE here. The mayor is right, they gotta re-think this whole setup. We can have international cooperation without resorting to such tactics. Can't we just focus on the Olympics instead of the drama? 
I was watching a video of cat playing piano the other day and it got me thinking... have you ever seen those cats that can do yoga on camera? 
Like, what even is that? I wonder if they're secretly trained to chill like that before the Olympics 
. Back to ICE, man... think about all the times we use words like "security" without actually knowing the details of what it entails 
. Can't we just get along? 
️ I gotta say, it doesn't sit right with me either 
. I mean, can't they just stick to deporting people or something? No need to bring the whole law enforcement force along for the ride...and apparently also bring some death wish with them 
.