TikToker Khaby Lame exits US after ICE detainment over visa issue

UPDATED: Jun 11, 2025 05:44 IST

Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok personality, has left the United States after being detained by immigration authorities in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that the Senegalese-born, Italian influencer, whose full name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was held at Harry Reid Airport on Friday.

Lame, who entered the US on April 30, was reportedly in violation of his visa terms. ICE granted him a voluntary departure, allowing him to leave the country without receiving a formal deportation order, a move that helps preserve his ability to return to the US in the future.

The 25-year-old social media sensation has not publicly addressed the incident. His departure comes amid heightened immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, whose recent policies have triggered protests, particularly in Los Angeles.

Lame shot to global fame during the pandemic with his silent, comedic reactions to overly complicated "life hack" videos. He now boasts over 162 million TikTok followers and has leveraged his fame into major brand deals, including a partnership with Hugo Boss and a role as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. Just weeks before his detainment, he made a high-profile appearance at the Met Gala in New York.

With inputs from Associated Press