Renowned TikTok star Khaby Lame, the world’s most followed creator, was briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday, June 6, at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The detainment stemmed from overstaying the permitted term of his tourist visa, ICE confirmed.
Visa Overstay and Voluntary Departure
ICE stated plainly: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, for immigration violations.” The agency added, “Lame entered the United States April 30 and overstayed the terms of his visa.”
After the arrest, Khaby was processed at the Henderson Detention Center. ICE further confirmed he was “granted voluntary departure June 6 and has since departed the U.S.” He left the country the same day, avoiding formal deportation proceedings.
Background and Public Reaction
Born in Senegal and raised in Italy, Khaby gained Italian citizenship in August 2022. He rose to fame during the COVID‑19 pandemic with silent, humorous TikTok videos simplifying over‑engineered “life hacks.” Today, his account boasts over 162 million followers, making him the most followed person on TikTok.
Despite his global fame, Khaby has stayed grounded. “Before TikTok, I was working in a factory. I had a lot of different jobs,” he told PEOPLE in 2024. “I was helping support my family… Then my world changed completely.” He added, “The first thing I did with the money I’ve made is buy a bigger house for my family.”
Political and Social Context
The incident occurred amid a sweeping push on immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration. According to reports, the White House targets at least 3,000 daily arrests by ICE . In Los Angeles, protests have spread against policies including National Guard deployments and mass workplace raids.
One conservative activist, Bo Loudon, took credit for alerting ICE after locating Khaby in agency databases. Loudon claimed, “I discovered he was illegal … I personally took action to have him deported.” ICE later verified the detention but offered no comment on Loudon’s role.
Implications for Future Travel
Overstaying a visa can trigger significant consequences. ICE warned that violations might lead to bans or visa denial on future applications. Under present policies, even a brief incident can complicate re-entry to the U.S.
Despite the episode, Khaby remains undeterred. He has resumed posting social media updates. On June 7, he shared an image from Venice Beach and another with actor Will Smith, captioned: “Wow, what a great experience. Thanks for letting me be part of your movie.”
Why This Matters
Khaby Lame’s detainment highlights how even high-profile individuals must respect immigration rules. It also underscores growing tensions over visa enforcement under current immigration policies.
Though released quickly, the incident may impact Khaby’s ability to return. His global influence and public humility, however, may help soften public reaction. But his next steps—personal and professional—will reflect how fame intersects with international travel regulations in today’s digital age.