ICE Detains Commentator Milo Yiannopoulos for Visa Overstay

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos for overstaying his visa.

According to a statement released on the DHS's X account, Yiannopoulos, identified as an "illegal alien from the United Kingdom," was apprehended at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Thursday.

DHS stated that Yiannopoulos legally entered the United States on May 14, 2019, via New York City, but subsequently violated the nation's laws by overstaying his permitted duration of stay.

Yiannopoulos received a final order of removal from an Immigration Judge on July 22 after failing to attend his immigration hearing. He will remain in ICE custody pending his deportation.

Laura Loomer, an individual known to be at odds with Yiannopoulos within right-wing circles, asserted on X that she was the first to report his illegal presence in the U.S., stating, "I told you all that Milo was an illegal alien."

Yiannopoulos gained prominence as an early supporter of Donald Trump, contributing to Breitbart.com and cultivating a reputation for generating controversy. He departed from Breitbart in 2017 following backlash over remarks that appeared to condone sexual relations with minors. He later engaged with Kanye West's 2024 presidential campaign and has advocated for mass deportation initiatives during a potential second Trump term. Last summer, he posted on X, "Total legal immunity for ICE agents when they’re on duty."

The DHS appeared to leverage the publicity surrounding Yiannopoulos's detention to convey a broader message. The department's X post indicated that "being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. 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. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return."

ICE also shared a link to a TMZ report detailing the arrest.