Khaby Lame opens his shirt to reveal the image of Chadwick Boseman upon arrival for the premiere of the film ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ in London, Nov. 3, 2022. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP File)
| Published June 11, 2025
Global headlines were made when Khaby Lame, the Senegalese–Italian creator celebrated as TikTok’s most-followed personality, was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport over an alleged visa overstay. The incident ended with Lame departing the U.S. voluntarily, sidestepping a formal deportation order. His visit, which included attending the Met Gala in New York, highlights the unique intersection of global fame and immigration regulation.
The Incident
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Date & Location: On June 6, 2025, Khaby Lame (real name: Seringe Khabane Lame), aged 25 and officially an Italian citizen, was detained on suspicion of overstaying his visa.
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Arrival & Duration: Lame entered the U.S. on April 30, 2025, during a period of intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
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Outcome: He was permitted a voluntary departure—avoiding a formal deportation that could have imposed a decade-long reentry ban.
Profile: Khaby Lame
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Background: Born in Senegal on March 9, 2000, and raised in Italy from infancy, Lame became an Italian citizen in August 2022.
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Rise to Fame: He rose to fame throughout the COVID-19 pandemic through silent, expressive TikTok videos mocking overcomplicated “life hacks”—his universal gestures earning him 162 million+ followers, making him the app’s most-followed individual by mid-2022.
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Career Highlights:
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Brand Collaborations: Multi-year campaign with Hugo Boss, along with partnerships with Google, State Farm, Pepsi, and inclusion in Fortnite.
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UNICEF: Named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in January 2025, advocating for children’s causes.
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Media Presence: Appeared at the 2025 Met Gala in New York, traveled in early May.
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Broader Context: U.S. Immigration Enforcement
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Policy Atmosphere: Lame’s case occurred during heightened ICE actions, notably in Los Angeles, including raids that sparked protests and deployment of National Guard forces.
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Public Allegations: A pro‑Trump influencer, Bo Loudon, claimed credit for alerting authorities, alleging Lame overstayed his visa—and making additional, unverified claims.
Behind the Scenes of Voluntary Departure
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Detainment: Lame was briefly held post-arrival in Las Vegas at an ICE checkpoint.
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Voluntary Removal: He agreed to self‑deport on June 6, avoiding the legal penalties associated with a formal deportation order, which can restrict future entries.
“He left the country Friday under a voluntary departure order, which avoids a formal deportation that could have barred him from returning for up to a decade.”
This directly confirms he was granted and accepted voluntary departure, not deportation.
Celebrity, Citizenship & Cross-Border Movement
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Global Public Figure: As TikTok’s most-followed user, an Italian national, and a UNICEF envoy, Lame’s case underscores how global mobility intersects with immigration rules, regardless of status.
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High-Profile Attention: Media outlets around the world, including AP, NPR, Politico, and ABC News, covered the incident—highlighting its resonance across entertainment, politics, and immigration policy .
Career and Public Presence
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Multiplatform Stardom: Beyond TikTok, Lame has built a strong presence on Instagram (80M+ followers) and ventured into entertainment as a voice cameo in the Italian version of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and a judge on Italia’s Got Talent.
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Early Work: Before fame, he worked as a CNC machine operator in northern Italy—transitioning from factory life to global influence through relatable, silent comedy.
Implications of Khaby Lame’s Detention and Departure
While the article itself avoids editorial conclusions, several key implications arise from the facts of Khaby Lame’s ICE detention and voluntary exit from the U.S.:
1. Heightened Immigration Scrutiny Under Political Shifts
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The incident occurred amid intensified immigration enforcement following the return of Donald Trump to the presidency.
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It signals how even high-profile individuals may face stricter border controls and zero-tolerance policies for visa compliance.
2. Celebrity Status Doesn’t Guarantee Mobility
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Despite being a global icon, a UNICEF ambassador, and a legal EU citizen, Lame’s case illustrates that celebrity does not exempt individuals from procedural immigration enforcement.
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It raises awareness about the legal limits of “soft power” or influence when dealing with sovereign immigration systems.
3. Impact on U.S.–Europe Cultural and Creative Exchange
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If widely publicized figures like Lame are subject to exclusion or deportation processes, it may affect how international artists, influencers, and creative talents approach travel and engagement with U.S. institutions.
4. Social Media as a Political Tool
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The case was amplified by online influencers who claimed to have flagged Lame’s status to ICE. This highlights how immigration enforcement can now be politicized and crowd-sourced in the digital age.
5. Reputational Impacts on U.S. Soft Power
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Detaining a non-controversial, globally beloved public figure may lead to reputational questions about how welcoming the U.S. remains for international cultural ambassadors.
FILE – TikTok star Khaby Lame poses for a photograph after being named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui, File)
FILE – Khaby Lame poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Oppenheimer’ in London, July 13, 2023. (Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP File)
FILE – Khaby Lame departs The Mark Hotel prior to attending The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” in New York, May 5, 2025. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP File)
Overall Takeaway:
Khaby Lame’s brief detention and voluntary departure from the United States highlight how even globally recognized public figures are subject to immigration laws without exception. Despite his celebrity status, diplomatic roles, and widespread popularity, Lame’s experience illustrates the rigor of U.S. immigration enforcement—especially during politically charged periods.
The situation also underscores how international artists and influencers must navigate not only global fame but also the complexities of cross-border legal compliance. His peaceful, voluntary resolution avoided long-term consequences, but the incident reveals how immigration systems can intersect abruptly with global entertainment and digital culture.
SOURCES: DAILYMAIL ONLINE – World´s most popular TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE
THE HILL – ICE detains the most followed person on TikTok, Khaby Lame
AP NEWS – World’s most popular TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE
BUSINESS INSIDER – TikTok’s biggest star has left the US after ICE detained him for overstaying his visa
POLITICO – TikTok star detained by ICE, leaves US amid Trump immigration crackdown
