Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok creator, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas last Friday due to a visa overstay, according to ICE officials.
The Senegalese-Italian influencer, born Seringe Khabane Lame, had entered the U.S. on April 30 but allegedly failed to depart within the permitted timeframe. ICE confirmed that Lame was not deported but allowed to voluntarily leave the country.
Khaby Lame’s Voluntary Departure Explained
ICE spokespersons clarified that voluntary departure allows a person facing removal to leave the U.S. without receiving a formal deportation order, which can prevent future reentry for up to 10 years.
This resolution enables Lame to potentially return to the U.S. legally in the future, avoiding the harsher consequences of formal deportation.
No Public Comment Yet from Khaby Lame
As of Tuesday, Khaby Lame had not released a statement regarding the incident. Media reached out to the email listed on his official Instagram profile, but no response has been reported.
Immigration Crackdown Context
Lame’s situation arises during a period of heightened immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, whose administration has resumed ICE raids and targeted removals in cities like Los Angeles. These actions have sparked nationwide protests and debates over executive authority in immigration policy.
Khaby Lame’s Meteoric Rise
The 25-year-old influencer rose to global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming known for his silent and comedic reactions to overcomplicated “life hack” videos. His unique content style has earned him more than 162 million TikTok followers.
Born in Senegal, Lame moved to Italy as an infant and holds Italian citizenship.
Global Recognition and Recent U.S. Visit
Lame’s career rapidly evolved beyond social media. In 2022, he secured a multi-year partnership with luxury fashion brand Hugo Boss. Earlier this year, he was appointed a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Just days before his detainment, he attended the Met Gala in New York City, marking one of his highest-profile U.S. appearances to date.
