Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok personality, has left the United States after being detained by U.S. immigration authorities for allegedly overstaying his visa. The social media star was taken into custody Friday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, marking a high-profile episode in the Trump administration’s renewed immigration crackdown.
The 25-year-old Senegalese-Italian influencer, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was granted voluntary departure, allowing him to leave the country without a formal deportation order, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed in a statement released Monday.
Lame, who entered the country on April 30, reportedly overstayed the terms of his visa, prompting the action by immigration agents. He has not issued a public statement about the incident, and a message sent by the Associated Press to the email address on his official Instagram account went unanswered.
Detainment Amid Broader Immigration Raids
Lame’s detainment comes amid a sweeping wave of ICE enforcement actions, including controversial raids in Los Angeles that have sparked widespread protests. The Trump administration’s latest immigration measures are being viewed by analysts as a test of executive limits on border and visa policy.
A voluntary departure status, which Lame was granted, allows foreign nationals to leave the U.S. at their own expense without a formal deportation record—an important distinction that can affect reentry eligibility. A deportation order, by contrast, can bar individuals from returning for up to 10 years.
From Viral Silence to Global Stardom
Known for his silent, comedic reactions to overcomplicated “life hack” videos, Lame skyrocketed to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 162 million TikTok followers, he became a global phenomenon, using facial expressions and simple gestures to earn mass appeal without uttering a single word.
Lame’s rapid ascent turned him into a cultural icon. In 2022, he signed a multi-year partnership with fashion powerhouse Hugo Boss, and in January 2025, he was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Most recently, he attended the prestigious Met Gala in New York City, just days after arriving in the U.S.
Born in Senegal and raised in Italy from infancy by working-class parents, Lame holds Italian citizenship and has frequently used his platform to bridge cultural divides with humor and humility.
A Setback Without Silence
While the incident may not hinder his global reach, it has raised questions about visa processing and the challenges faced even by globally recognized public figures under tightened immigration policies.
As of Tuesday, there has been no official response from UNICEF regarding Lame’s detainment. His fans, meanwhile, have taken to social media with messages of support and frustration, turning the episode into a broader symbol of the tensions between celebrity, immigration, and international movement in the digital age.
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