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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested British right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos in Louisiana after he failed to appear for an immigration hearing, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Friday.
Yiannopoulos, 41, was detained Thursday at New Orleans International Airport and is facing deportation, according to DHS.
“Milo Yiannopoulos, an illegal alien from the United Kingdom ... legally entered the country on May 14, 2019, through New York City, New York. He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws,” DHS said in a statement on X.
“Yiannopoulos was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on July 22, after failing to show up for his immigration hearing. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal,” the department added.
The ICE database does not specify where Yiannopoulos is currently being detained.
Yiannopoulos entered the public eye about a decade ago, casting himself as a gay crusader for free speech and an opponent of “political correctness,” while facing widespread accusations of racism and misogyny.
He first rose to prominence at the far-right news organization Breitbart News ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
His provocative content and speeches on college campuses drew criticism and denunciations.
Yiannopoulos was an early supporter of President Donald Trump and has voiced support for his immigration crackdown, but he has largely fallen out with the Trump movement.
He resigned from Breitbart in 2017 after comments he made appearing to condone pedophilia resurfaced in the media.
Since then, Yiannopoulos has feuded with other far-right figures and antagonized mainstream Republicans, including Trump.
He denounced Trump in 2020 before teaming up with Kanye West to help run the rapper’s failed 2024 presidential campaign.
In September 2025, Yiannopoulos posted on X: “Total legal immunity for ICE agents when they're on duty.”
DHS also issued a broader statement outlining its position on the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
“This administration is working diligently to ensure that aliens in our country illegally can no longer fly unless it is out of our country to self-deport,” the department said.
“Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App,” DHS added, referring to Customs and Border Protection.
“The United States is offering illegal aliens $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream,” it said.
“If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return,” DHS added.
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