British conservative influencer Milo Yiannopoulos detained by ICE and facing deportation from US

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Mr Yiannopoulos had legally entered the US through New York City on May 14, 2019, but subsequently remained beyond his permitted stay.

An immigration judge issued a final order for his removal on July 22 after he failed to attend an immigration hearing, according to officials.

A Homeland Security spokesman said: “On August 27, ICE arrested Milo Yiannopoulos, an illegal alien from the United Kingdom, at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in Kenner, Louisiana. Yiannopoulos 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.

“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.”

His detention comes after the British-born conservative repeatedly championed Ice and called for tougher deportation measures in America.

In June 2025, Mr Yiannopoulos argued that federal agents should be able to deport anyone "on the spot" who "can't prove they are in the US legally".

The 41-year-old was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on August 27

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He later called for "total legal immunity for Ice agents when they're on duty" in a post on social media.

MAGA influencer Laura Loomer has claimed she was responsible for reporting Mr Yiannopoulos to the DHS.

She said: “For years, I have been warning the American people and the federal government that Milo Yiannopoulos is an illegal alien.

“It should shock the American people that disgraced former Congresswoman Marjorie Traitor Greene once had this alleged illegal alien living in her home and working for her in her congressional office.

"It’s a great day for America and our immigration system that a Brit who excused paedophilia is being deported from America.”

An immigration judge issued a final order for his removal on July 22 after he failed to attend an immigration hearing

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Mr Yiannopoulos worked as an intern for former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in 2022, describing the position as an "unpaid internship with a friend".

The Cambridge-educated writer rose to prominence after leaving Britain and establishing himself as a provocative figure in American political discourse.

He became particularly well known through his work at Breitbart, the conservative news outlet previously run by Steve Bannon.

Mr Yiannopoulos resigned as a senior editor in 2017 after a resurfaced video showed him making controversial remarks about paedophilia and the age of consent.

The controversy cost him a keynote appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference and a book deal.

The Cambridge-educated writer rose to prominence through his work at Breitbart

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During the press conference announcing his departure from Breitbart, Mr Yiannopoulos said he was living in America on an O-1 visa, which is available to people deemed to have extraordinary ability in fields including the arts, sciences, education, business and athletics.

He has also become an increasingly fierce critic of Donald Trump after previously being an outspoken supporter of the US President.

The 41-year-old accused Mr Trump of having "sacrificed his honour and his integrity" and declared that "Trumpism died" over the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

During a 2025 interview with conservative influencer Candace Owens, he claimed the US President was "bought, paid for, owned and operated" by Israel.

Mr Yiannopoulos was also barred from entering Australia in 2019 following remarks about the Christchurch terror attacks.