Right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos has been deported from the United States to the United Kingdom after the Department of Homeland Security confirmed he violated immigration laws by overstaying his visa.
Yiannopoulos was arrested at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Thursday and subsequently held in a detention facility. A photo of him in detention was released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), showing him with a fatigued appearance. He arrived in the UK on Saturday.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Yiannopoulos legally entered the U.S. in 2019 but subsequently overstayed his welcome, thereby violating immigration laws. An immigration judge had issued a final order of removal on July 22, and Yiannopoulos reportedly failed to appear for his immigration hearing.
Milo Yiannopoulos is pictured in a photo after being detained, released by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday
His deportation prompted reactions from various figures within conservative circles. Laura Loomer, a conservative activist, claimed credit for his arrest, stating she had long advocated for such an action and that Yiannopoulos had been "Loomered." Loomer and Yiannopoulos have a history of alliance followed by a public dispute.
Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene disputed Loomer's claim that Yiannopoulos had lived with her, calling Loomer a "vile liar." Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, expressed his sentiment on X, writing, "Good riddance."
Right-wing influencer Milo Yiannopoulos, who used to be Kanye West's chief of staff, was detained by ICE earlier this week in Louisiana; pictured 2024
Throughout his career as a political commentator, Yiannopoulos has been a prominent advocate for immigration restrictions and mass deportations. In 2017, he stated he was in the U.S. on an O-1 nonimmigrant visa, which is designated for individuals with extraordinary abilities. Such visas require sponsorship and are typically granted for temporary stays.
DHS said Yiannopoulos legally entered the US in 2019 but 'chose to overstay his welcome' and violated immigration laws
Yiannopoulos served as chief of political operations for Kanye West's 2024 presidential campaign. In 2022, during this role, he was involved in arranging a controversial meeting between West, Donald Trump, and Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago.
West is pictured with Yiannopoulos in Beverly Hills in November 2022, the same month they visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago with Nick Fuentes in tow
More recently, Yiannopoulos has publicly distanced himself from Fuentes. He has also been vocal in advocating for stricter immigration enforcement, urging the Trump administration to increase deportations. In posts on X, he has called for deporting "millions and millions and millions of people" and suggested ICE checkpoints at various public locations for immediate deportation of individuals unable to prove legal status.
Yiannopoulos characterized himself as 'ex-gay in 2021.'
In 2017, Yiannopoulos married a man in Hawaii, and has since characterized himself as "ex-gay," initiating divorce proceedings.
Laura Loomer took credit for Yiannopoulos' arrest and deportation, celebrating his removal from the US online
Yiannopoulos has supported ICE's efforts to implement mass deportations and has publicly urged the Trump administration to continue an immigration crackdown
Yiannopoulos has been a staunch supporter of mass deportations, writing in June, 'Without that, nothing else matters'