Milo Yiannopoulos, a right-wing influencer and former chief of staff and publicist for Kanye West, has reportedly been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at an airport in Louisiana. Inmate records indicate he is currently at a detention center in the state, TMZ reported.
The reason for Yiannopoulos's travel to Louisiana remains unconfirmed, though West is scheduled to perform in New Orleans on Friday. Yiannopoulos, a British national, has previously advocated for immigration restrictions.
In 2017, Yiannopoulos stated he was in the United States on an O-1 nonimmigrant visa, which is granted to individuals with extraordinary ability in various fields. These visas require sponsorship by an agent or employer. It is unconfirmed whether Yiannopoulos has since become eligible for U.S. citizenship or a green card, potentially through marriage. He married a man in Hawaii in 2017, but has characterized himself as 'ex-gay' since 2021 and initiated divorce proceedings.
Yiannopoulos was a key figure in West's 2024 presidential campaign, serving as director of political operations. He also played a role in arranging West's controversial meeting with Donald Trump and Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago in November 2022. Yiannopoulos has since publicly criticized Fuentes.
West has faced international backlash and travel restrictions due to antisemitic remarks. He was banned from Britain and saw concert dates canceled in several countries following his comments, including vows to go "death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE." West has attributed his remarks to brain damage sustained in a 2002 car crash, which he believes contributed to his bipolar disorder.