Right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos detained by ICE
Key Points:
- Milo Yiannopoulos, a former Breitbart editor and controversial internet figure, is being held in Louisiana after failing to attend an immigration hearing, resulting in a final order of removal issued on July 22.
- Yiannopoulos arrived in the US in May 2019 and overstayed his visa, leading to his arrest at New Orleans airport on August 27; the Department of Homeland Security referred to him as an "illegal alien from the United Kingdom."
- Known for provocative and divisive statements on topics including transgender people, Muslims, Black Lives Matter, and feminism, Yiannopoulos has a history of controversy, including being disinvited from CPAC in 2017 over allegations related to paedophilia, which he denied.
- Yiannopoulos was an early supporter of Donald Trump but later criticized him, while continuing to advocate for strict immigration enforcement and deportations on social media.
- The British embassy in Washington has been asked for comment, and Yiannopoulos has not responded to media inquiries regarding his detention and deportation status.