Milo Yiannopoulos, the British former Breitbart editor and far-right commentator, has reportedly been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being held in federal immigration custody in Louisiana. The reasons for his detention, his current immigration status and whether he faces deportation have not been confirmed, making the case significant because it concerns a prominent political figure’s ability to remain in the United States.

Fox News reported that ICE sources said Yiannopoulos was detained in Alexandria, Louisiana, a major centre for deportation operations, and said an ICE detainee-locator screenshot appeared to confirm he was in custody. Yiannopoulos became nationally known for provocative far-right commentary, speeches and online activity; the Department of Homeland Security had been asked for further information when the article was published.