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US Olympic officials have changed the name of the American athletes’ reception area from the “Ice House” to the “Winter House” amid protests in Italy over the involvement of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in security measures at the Games and growing anger about working in the US.
The venue is planned to be a place for American figure skaters, speed skaters and ice hockey players and their families to gather for meet and greets, medal celebrations, viewing parties and other events, according to Reuters. The spot will air during NBC’s presentation of the Winter Games.
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A general view of Team USA’s Welcome Experience at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“Our hospitality concept was designed to be a private space free of distractions where athletes, their families, and friends can come together to enjoy the unique experience of the Winter Games,” US Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating said in a joint statement.
“The name captures that idea and connects to the season and event.”
USA Today first reported the name change.
ICE agents will play a security role for US officials during the Winter Games. U.S. Embassy officials told The Associated Press last week that ICE agents will support official security detail and will not conduct any immigration enforcement activities.
2026 MILAN CORTINA OLYMPICS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WINTER GAMES
Ilia Malinin of Team USA trains on the day before the fourth edition of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“It is clear that ICE is not doing immigration enforcement,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“At the Olympics, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations support the U.S. National Security Service and participating countries to assess and mitigate threats from international criminal organizations. All security operations remain under the jurisdiction of Italian authorities.”
Meanwhile, protests erupted in Italy over ICE’s involvement.
“No thank you, from Minnesota to the world, alongside anyone who fights for human rights,” said another banner, according to the Associated Press. Another said, “Snow in Spritz only.”
Italian lawmaker Riccardo Magi, center, shows a placard demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents not be allowed at the Milan Cortina Olympics during a protest by the center-left group + Europa outside the US Embassy in Rome, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said ICE would not be welcome in the city, and cited photos of undercover agents in Minneapolis. ICE operations have been fraught with controversy since the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Ryan Morik of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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