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Winter House Rebranded to Defuse ICE Backlash Ahead of Milan‑Cortina Games

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  • A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • Protesters gathered next to the French foreign ministry in Paris to denounce the crackdown of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Paris, Wednesday January 28. 2026.
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    Protesters gathered next to the French foreign ministry in Paris to denounce the crackdown of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Paris, Wednesday January 28. 2026. Source Full size
  • A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • This photo, provided by the foreign ministry on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a South Korean government response team for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics during a launch ceremony ahead of their dispatch to the Italian city to provide consular assistance to South Korean nationals during the Games. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This photo, provided by the foreign ministry on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a South Korean government response team for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics during a launch ceremony ahead of their dispatch to the Italian city to provide consular assistance to South Korean nationals during the Games. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Protesters gathered next to the French foreign ministry in Paris to denounce the crackdown of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Paris, Wednesday January 28. 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    Protesters gathered next to the French foreign ministry in Paris to denounce the crackdown of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Paris, Wednesday January 28. 2026. Source Full size
  • A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    A woman poses for a photo with the Olympic rings ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • This photo, provided by the foreign ministry on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a South Korean government response team for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics during a launch ceremony ahead of their dispatch to the Italian city to provide consular assistance to South Korean nationals during the Games. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This photo, provided by the foreign ministry on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a South Korean government response team for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics during a launch ceremony ahead of their dispatch to the Italian city to provide consular assistance to South Korean nationals during the Games. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Renaming and sponsor positioning On Feb 4 2026 the U.S. athlete hospitality venue in Milan changed its name from “Ice House” to “Winter House” to distance the space from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) controversy [1][2][3]. USA Hockey, US Speedskating and US Figure Skating stressed that the venue will remain a private, distraction‑free hub for athletes, families and partners. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee opted not to open a traditional USA House because the 2026 Games are spread across multiple sites [1][2].

Athlete endorsement of the new name Figure skater Amber Glenn called the rename “wise,” noting that the word “ice” carries painful connotations after recent events [1][2][3]. Moguls skier Tess Johnson echoed the sentiment, emphasizing her opposition to hate and her commitment to Olympic values. Both athletes said the change aligns with the spirit of respect and compassion promoted by the Games.

ICE role confined to computer work Deployed ICE personnel will operate solely from a control‑room computer environment inside the Winter House and are part of Homeland Security Investigations, not the enforcement unit involved in U.S. immigration raids [1][4][6]. They will not patrol streets or engage in on‑ground security duties. Italy’s interior ministry confirmed that ICE activity will be limited to U.S. diplomatic premises, preserving Italian‑led security for the venues [6].

Protests triggered by Minneapolis shootings After federal agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, demonstrations erupted across the United States and spread to Milan, where hundreds gathered in Piazza XXV Aprile on Jan 31 2026 [3][4][6]. Participants included members of Italy’s Democratic Party, the CGIL trade‑union confederation and the ANPI resistance association, who carried anti‑ICE slogans and whistles. Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala publicly declared ICE agents “not welcome,” prompting a parliamentary summons of Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi [4].

Broader security framework and international presence Italy will deploy roughly 6,000 police officers, drones, aerial surveillance and a 24‑hour cybersecurity hub to protect Olympic sites [6]. South Korea sent a rapid‑response consular team led by Ambassador Lim Sang‑woo to assist Korean nationals and coordinate with local authorities [5]. NBC announced plans to feature the Winter House in its Games coverage, offering viewers behind‑the‑scenes access [3].

Sources

Timeline

Jan 7, 2026 – An ICE officer fatally shoots Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, and a separate incident kills Alex Pretti, sparking nationwide protests and heightening scrutiny of ICE’s tactics ahead of the Olympics [1].

Sept 2025 – U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and U.S. Speedskating announce a private athlete hospitality venue in Milan, dubbing it the “Ice House” to provide a distraction‑free space for Olympians and their families [2].

Jan 27, 2026 – The Department of Homeland Security states that ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit will support U.S. security at the Milan‑Cortina Games, emphasizing that “ICE will not conduct immigration enforcement abroad” and that all operations remain under Italian authority [3][8].

Jan 27, 2026 – Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi clarifies that ICE personnel will be confined to U.S. diplomatic missions and will not patrol streets, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani adds they will work only in “operations rooms” as a counter‑terrorism unit [3].

Jan 27, 2026 – Prominent Italian politicians, including Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, publicly denounce the deployment, with Sala calling ICE “a militia that kills” [3][8].

Jan 28, 2026 – DHS confirms the deployed agents are from HSI, not the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) branch, and that they will operate from a control room at the U.S. Consulate in Milan [6].

Jan 28, 2026 – Mayor Giuseppe Sala reiterates his opposition, stating “ICE is a militia that kills… it is clear they are not welcome in Milan” as the city prepares for the opening ceremony [6].

Jan 29, 2026 – Italy’s Interior Ministry announces ICE will be limited to U.S. consular premises, while 6,000 Italian police, drones, aerial surveillance and a 24‑hour cybersecurity control room will secure the Games [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – South Korea establishes a temporary consular office in Milan (Feb 4‑23) and dispatches a rapid‑response team led by Ambassador Lim Sang‑woo to protect Korean nationals and monitor security threats during the Olympics [11].

Jan 31, 2026 – Hundreds protest in Milan’s Piazza XXV Aprile against ICE’s presence, with demonstrators chanting “No thank you, from Minnesota to the world” and Mayor Sala again declaring the agents “not welcome,” while Interior Minister Piantedosi is summoned to Parliament [5].

Feb 3, 2026 – The three U.S. Olympic federations rename the athlete hospitality venue “Winter House,” with figure skater Amber Glenn calling the change “wise” given the painful connotations of the word “ice” [2].

Feb 4, 2026 – Further coverage of the rename highlights that ICE agents will work only on computers inside the venue, and athletes such as Tess Johnson endorse the decision, emphasizing Olympic values of respect and compassion [7][9].

Feb 6, 2026 – The Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics open, featuring an opening ceremony attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while ICE HSI agents remain behind‑the‑scenes in the consular control room [5].

Feb 6‑22, 2026 – The Games run across seven Italian towns, with security overseen by Italian authorities and supported by the U.S. diplomatic security apparatus, including the limited ICE HSI presence [4].

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