British commentator Milo Yiannopoulos detained by ICE in New Orleans for visa overstay

In short:

British right-wing political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New Orleans.

According to US officials, Mr Yiannopoulos legally entered the US in 2019 through New York City but "chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation's laws".

What's next?

The 41-year-old British national, a strong supporter of Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies, is now awaiting deportation.

British far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, who was banned from entering Australia in 2019 over his anti-Islam commentary, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Mr Yiannopoulos, 41, was arrested on Thursday at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

His arrest comes after he called for ICE checkpoints at supermarkets in the United States, with summary deportation of anyone failing to prove legal US residency.

The US Department of Homeland Security, ICE's parent agency, said in a statement that he was subject to a final order of removal from the US, describing him as "an illegal alien from the United Kingdom".

According to DHS, Mr Yiannopoulos legally entered the US in May 2019 through New York City but "chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation's laws".

"Yiannopoulos was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on July 22 after failing to show up for his immigration hearing," the DHS statement said.

" He will remain in ICE custody pending removal. "

Mr Yiannopoulos was not immediately available for comment and it was unclear whether he had obtained legal representation.

Celebrity news site TMZ.com broke the news of his arrest and suggested Mr Yiannopoulos was in New Orleans ahead of a scheduled performance by the artist formerly known as Kanye West on Friday night.

Mr Yiannopoulos has close ties to the hip-hop star.

ICE's detention of Mr Yiannopoulos marked an ironic turn for the political pundit who is known for far-right-wing commentary.

It includes anti-Islamic rhetoric and support for immigration enforcement beyond the crackdown instituted by US President Donald Trump.

In a June 2025 post on the social media platform X he said California "needs ICE checkpoints at supermarket entrances, gas stations, strip malls, intersections and government buildings, with on the spot deportation for anyone who can't prove they are in the US legally".

In addition to his association with West, Mr Yiannopoulos has collaborated with white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

He started working for right-wing Breitbart News in 2014 where he gained notoriety for his prominent role in the "Gamergate" anti-feminist harassment campaign that targeted women in the video game industry.

Reuters/ABC