Khaby Lame, the 25-year-old TikTok sensation known for his silent humor and massive global following, has voluntarily departed the United States after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying his visa.
LAS VEGAS, Khaby Lame, the Senegalese-born Italian social media star who rose to global fame through his wordless comedic videos on TikTok, has left the United States following his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
Lame, who boasts more than 162 million followers on TikTok, was detained at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas after authorities determined he had violated the terms of his visa.
The 25-year-old reportedly overstayed his permitted time in the country and was taken into custody during an ongoing sweep of immigration violations under President Donald Trump’s administration.
ICE officials confirmed that Lame voluntarily chose to leave the country after his detention. He had been in the U.S. for a series of promotional events and brand appearances, but it is unclear when exactly his visa expired.
Originally from Senegal, Lame moved to Italy as a child and was granted Italian citizenship in 2022. His meteoric rise to fame was marked by a unique brand of comedy, exaggerated facial expressions and gestures that humorously simplify overly complicated life hacks, all without uttering a word.
Immigration advocates have expressed concern that Lame’s high-profile detention could signal a broader tightening of enforcement, even for globally recognized figures.
Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to express support and hope for his return to the U.S. under legal circumstances.
Khaby Lame has not publicly commented on the incident, but sources close to the influencer say he is back in Italy and continuing to create content for his massive online audience.
