Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi moved quickly on 24 January to quell political controversy over press reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers might be deployed in Italy during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Speaking on the margins of the International Tourism Forum in Milan, Piantedosi told reporters that “at the moment nothing of the sort results to us, and even if it were true the security coordination would remain entirely in Italian hands.” (ansa.it)
The remarks came after opposition MPs filed urgent parliamentary questions demanding clarification of rumours that the United States planned to send ICE personnel to protect its Olympic delegation in the Alpine venues of Milano-Cortina. Critics warned that allowing a foreign immigration-enforcement agency to operate on Italian soil would set a dangerous precedent and blur lines of jurisdiction at points of entry to the Schengen area. (ansa.it)
Piantedosi’s statement makes two points that matter for global-mobility managers. First, the Minister implicitly confirmed that any foreign security staff would operate only within the confines of the U.S. delegation and under Italian supervision; therefore travellers to the Games should still expect standard Schengen-area controls conducted by Italian police and border guards. Second, the government’s public reassurance suggests that Italy intends to centralise all immigration, accreditation and security vetting for the Olympics under a single national command.
![Interior Minister dismisses rumours of U.S. ICE agents policing Milano-Cortina 2026]()
For sponsors, broadcasters and logistics providers preparing large temporary assignments, the message is that no parallel U.S. immigration screening will be introduced at Italian airports or Olympic venues. Visa processing, import of equipment and accreditation will continue to follow Italian and Schengen rules—although additional athlete-security protocols may be announced later. Companies are advised to monitor the forthcoming Special Law on Olympic Security, expected in the first half of 2026, for any last-minute ID-badge or background-check requirements that could affect staff mobility.
If your company needs to arrange dozens of short-term visas or residence permits for staff heading to Milano-Cortina, VisaHQ’s dedicated Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) streamlines the paperwork. From Schengen visa applications to passport renewals and document legalisation, the platform lets HR teams track every case in real time and ensures travellers receive step-by-step guidance—saving time before, during and after the Games.
In practical terms, travellers should plan for heightened but conventional border checks rather than unfamiliar U.S. procedures. Employers should also brief travelling staff that questions about their immigration status will come from Italian—not American—officials, and ensure that passports and entry documents comply with standard Schengen validity rules.
The remarks came after opposition MPs filed urgent parliamentary questions demanding clarification of rumours that the United States planned to send ICE personnel to protect its Olympic delegation in the Alpine venues of Milano-Cortina. Critics warned that allowing a foreign immigration-enforcement agency to operate on Italian soil would set a dangerous precedent and blur lines of jurisdiction at points of entry to the Schengen area. (ansa.it)
Piantedosi’s statement makes two points that matter for global-mobility managers. First, the Minister implicitly confirmed that any foreign security staff would operate only within the confines of the U.S. delegation and under Italian supervision; therefore travellers to the Games should still expect standard Schengen-area controls conducted by Italian police and border guards. Second, the government’s public reassurance suggests that Italy intends to centralise all immigration, accreditation and security vetting for the Olympics under a single national command.
For sponsors, broadcasters and logistics providers preparing large temporary assignments, the message is that no parallel U.S. immigration screening will be introduced at Italian airports or Olympic venues. Visa processing, import of equipment and accreditation will continue to follow Italian and Schengen rules—although additional athlete-security protocols may be announced later. Companies are advised to monitor the forthcoming Special Law on Olympic Security, expected in the first half of 2026, for any last-minute ID-badge or background-check requirements that could affect staff mobility.
If your company needs to arrange dozens of short-term visas or residence permits for staff heading to Milano-Cortina, VisaHQ’s dedicated Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) streamlines the paperwork. From Schengen visa applications to passport renewals and document legalisation, the platform lets HR teams track every case in real time and ensures travellers receive step-by-step guidance—saving time before, during and after the Games.
In practical terms, travellers should plan for heightened but conventional border checks rather than unfamiliar U.S. procedures. Employers should also brief travelling staff that questions about their immigration status will come from Italian—not American—officials, and ensure that passports and entry documents comply with standard Schengen validity rules.
