'Creeping fascism': Milan protesters slam ICE deployment at Winter Olympics

Protests took place in Milan at Piazza XXV Aprile against the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympics, scheduled for February 2026. Demonstrators criticized what they referred to as "creeping fascism" in the U.S. and called for the removal of ICE agents from Italy during the international sporting event. Slogans such as "No ICE in Italy" were prominently displayed, reflecting concerns about civil liberties and the treatment of migrants (NPR, Chicago Tribune). The Italian government has addressed these concerns, stating that the role of U.S. ICE agents will be limited to analytical tasks within U.S. diplomatic facilities during the Winter Olympics. Italy's interior minister emphasized that there would be no operational police role for ICE agents on Italian territory and described fears surrounding their involvement as "completely unfounded" (Al Jazeera, The Hindu). The Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.) indicated that ICE agents would assist in securing the U.S. Olympics delegation (Chicago Tribune). The protests highlight ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the presence of foreign law enforcement at international events. Historically, major gatherings have faced scrutiny over security measures, which can lead to public outcry and protests. This situation underscores broader societal concerns about immigration policies and the intersection of national security and civil liberties, particularly in the context of a global sporting event that aims to promote unity (ESPN, The Hindu).