LAS VEGAS — The prominent TikTok star Khaby Lame, known for his immense following and influential social media presence, has recently departed from the United States after a brief detention by immigration officials in Las Vegas. The reason cited for his detainment was an alleged overstay of his visa arrangements.
The influencer’s real name is Seringe Khabane Lame, who hails from Senegal but holds Italian citizenship. He was stopped by authorities at the Harry Reid International Airport last Friday but did not face deportation orders. This information was confirmed by a representative from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a formal statement.
According to ICE, Lame arrived in the United States on April 30 and failed to comply with his visa terms, resulting in his detainment. Efforts to reach out to him through the contact provided on his Instagram page have been made, though he has yet to publicly address the situation concerning his detainment.
His situation unfolds during a time when President Donald Trump has been intensifying efforts to tighten immigration control. This includes recent immigration raids conducted in Los Angeles, which have incited protest movements against ICE, as the President pushes the boundaries of his executive powers.
Khaby Lame was permitted a voluntary departure, a decision that allows individuals to leave the U.S. without a formal deportation order lingering on their records. This courtesy is significant as it prevents a scenario that might otherwise hinder one’s re-entry into the country for a potentially long period of up to ten years.
Despite this setback, Lame remains a towering figure in the world of online content creation, boasting an impressive following of over 162 million on TikTok alone. He gained global recognition during the pandemic, especially with his video responses silently reacting to overly convoluted “life hacks.”
Born in Senegal and relocated to Italy with his family during his early years, Lame has achieved Italian citizenship. His rise to fame has opened various opportunities, including securing a long-term collaboration with the fashion label Hugo Boss in 2022 and being named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador earlier this year.
In recent months, Lame attended the Met Gala in New York City, a significant cultural event, just several days after his arrival in the U.S., underscoring his wide-reaching influence and popularity across diverse platforms.