Will representatives from the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforce
This year, the Munich Security Conference expects the attendance of numerous heads of state and government. According to organizers, the largest U.S. delegation in the history of the forum will arrive in the Bavarian capital. Unconfirmed press reports indicate that Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American representatives, with several members of the Senate also heading to Germany.
The question of whether they will be accompanied by ICE personnel—whose activities are frequently criticized—remained open. A U.S. Embassy spokesperson did not confirm or deny this possibility on Thursday in response to an inquiry from the t-online editorial office. The information had not received official status approximately one week before the event’s opening.
The official merely pointed out that ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations on foreign soil. He clarified that the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit serves as the primary investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. With a staff of over 10,000 employees and offices worldwide, the service counters transnational crime and threats from international networks that exploit global trade, travel, and financial channels.
ICE Activities in Italy
The Munich Security Conference, regarded as a key international meeting for defense policy specialists, will take place from February 13 to 15 at the Bayerischer Hof hotel. Shortly before this, it became known that ICE personnel, acting on behalf of the U.S. government, would support security measures during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Games begin this coming Friday.
According to these plans, the deployment of forces is scheduled for Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which triggered a wave of criticism in Italy. Many politicians, including Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, opposed the presence of ICE representatives on Italian territory. In the U.S. itself, the agency’s activities have recently been accompanied by protests and have sparked public discontent.
The Agency’s Advisory Role
Traditionally, the protection of American delegations at major international events is provided by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). However, at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, ICE is expected to provide support to the DSS.
U.S. Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta emphasized that the role of the immigration agency personnel was purely advisory. He noted that participation in patrols or operational arrests was not planned. All security measures remain under the full control of the Italian authorities, Fertitta explained. It was intended that ICE forces would focus on information sharing regarding transnational threats, primarily in the areas of cybercrime and risks to national security.Source: t-online
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