British far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos was detained by ICE on Thursday at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana, and has since been deported to the United Kingdom, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Why He Was Detained
Yiannopoulos, a U.K. national, legally entered the U.S. on May 14, 2019, but overstayed his visa. An immigration judge issued a final removal order on July 22 after he failed to appear for a scheduled immigration hearing in July. The Department of Homeland Security said he would remain in ICE custody pending removal after his arrest.
His Background
Yiannopoulos built his public profile in the mid-2010s as a Breitbart editor and provocateur before a series of controversies, including comments that appeared to condone relationships between adult men and underage boys, cost him that platform and a book deal. He later worked in various roles connected to Kanye West’s business ventures.
What Happens Next
With the removal order in place and Yiannopoulos reportedly already flown to the U.K., his path back into the United States would require overcoming the immigration violation on his record, something DHS has not indicated any willingness to reconsider.
