By Gilbert Mbaya
Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok star, was briefly detained by U.S. immigration authorities on Friday, June 6, for overstaying the terms of his visa, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed in a statement.
Lame, a 25-year-old Italian national born in Senegal, had entered the United States on April 30, but failed to comply with the conditions of his visa, prompting action from immigration officials. He was taken into custody at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, and released the same day under a "voluntary departure" arrangement. According to ICE, Lame has since left the country.
“US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabene Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, for immigration violations,” the agency said in a statement to AFP.
As of Saturday afternoon, Lame had not addressed the incident on his social media platforms, where he commands an enormous global following. With 162.2 million TikTok followers, he remains the most-followed user on the platform.
Lame rose to global fame during the COVID-19 pandemic for his unique brand of silent comedy—wordless videos mocking overly complex life hacks and tutorials. His now-iconic reactions, featuring exaggerated facial expressions and a palms-up gesture of disbelief, became viral sensations across the globe.
The inspiration for his content came after he was laid off from his job as a factory mechanic in March 2020. While wandering around his neighborhood in Chivasso, near Turin, Italy, Lame began experimenting with TikTok videos, which quickly gained traction. By late 2022, Forbes estimated he had earned over $16.5 million from brand partnerships between June 2022 and September 2023.
Lame, who also serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, has long been celebrated not only for his comedic simplicity but also for his inspirational rags-to-riches story. His recent detention, however, casts a spotlight on the strict enforcement of U.S. immigration laws under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has renewed mass deportation drives and visa compliance checks—measures that have sparked legal battles and public debate.
The incident comes as a surprise to many fans who associate the TikTok sensation with positive, apolitical content. Whether Lame will publicly address the incident or adjust his future travel plans remains to be seen.
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