LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok personality, was briefly detained by U.S. immigration authorities last Friday for overstaying his visa, according to a statement released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Italian national, whose full name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was taken into custody at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6. ICE confirmed that Lame had entered the United States on April 30 and remained beyond the terms permitted by his visa.
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He was released the same day under a “voluntary departure” arrangement and has since left the country.
Lame, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and a dominant figure on social media with over 162 million TikTok followers, rose to fame through his wordless videos that humorously simplify overly complicated life hacks. His signature expression—palms turned upward, eyes wide, and a knowing smile—has become instantly recognizable across digital platforms.
The Senegal-born influencer, who moved to Italy as a child, first gained global attention in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his job as a factory worker in Chivasso, near Turin. Wandering his neighborhood, he began posting videos to TikTok that quickly went viral for their relatable and silent humor.
According to Forbes, Lame earned an estimated $16.5 million between June 2022 and September 2023 through brand partnerships and marketing deals.
His detention comes amid the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has initiated sweeping crackdowns on undocumented immigrants and visa overstays—policies that have drawn legal and political challenges nationwide.
While Lame has not publicly commented on the incident, news of his detention has sparked a wave of reactions across social media platforms, where fans have expressed both concern and support for the influencer.
