Tom Homan, the former acting ICE director who served as President Donald Trump's border czar, and Milo Yiannopoulos, the right-wing provocateur, were arrested on federal charges stemming from an alleged immigration fraud scheme, according to court documents.
Arrests and charges
The arrests took place on Saturday, with both men facing charges that include conspiracy to commit visa fraud and making false statements to federal authorities. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York filed the charges, alleging that Homan and Yiannopoulos orchestrated a scheme to help foreign nationals obtain visas illegally.
According to the indictment, the two men allegedly used Yiannopoulos's media platform to solicit clients and then charged them tens of thousands of dollars for fraudulent visa applications. The scheme reportedly ran from early 2025 until the time of the arrests.
Alleged scheme details
Prosecutors claim that Homan, leveraging his prior government connections, provided official-looking documents to support the fraudulent applications. Yiannopoulos, meanwhile, is accused of using his online influence to advertise the service to a wide audience.
Court documents also allege that the pair attempted to conceal their activities by using encrypted messaging apps and shell companies to receive payments. The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy count alone.
Background and reaction
Homan, who was a vocal advocate for strict immigration enforcement during the Trump administration, had been a key figure in the president's border policies. Yiannopoulos, known for his controversial statements, had previously worked as a journalist and commentator.
Both men are expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Monday. An attorney for Homan declined to comment, while representatives for Yiannopoulos did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case has drawn attention given the high-profile nature of the defendants and the serious nature of the charges.
