TikTok star Khaby Lame voluntarily exits U.S. after ICE detainment

Khaby Lame’s ICE Detention and Departure from the U.S.

Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok star with over 162 million followers, found himself at the center of a high-profile immigration incident in June 2025. The 25-year-old Italian-Senegalese influencer, known for his silent comedic videos skewering absurd life hacks, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6, 2025, for allegedly overstaying his visa.

Granted voluntary departure the same day, Lame has since left the United States, with recent social media posts indicating he is in São Paulo, Brazil. This article explores the details of Lame’s detention, the controversy surrounding it, and its broader context within the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and recent protests against ICE.

Khaby Lame’s Global Influence and Future Outlook

Khaby Lame’s rise from a factory worker in Chivasso, Italy, to a global TikTok icon is a testament to his universal appeal. His silent comedy, often tagged #learnfromkhaby, resonates across cultures. Earning him 162.2 million TikTok followers and partnerships with brands like Binance and Hugo Boss. Lame’s recent projects include a cameo in Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024), a Tubi series, Khaby Is Coming to America, and a judging role on Italia’s Got Talent. His UNICEF goodwill ambassador role further cements his positive public image.

For fans searching “Khaby Lame Brazil” or “Khaby Lame after ICE detention,” his social media activity suggests resilience. Posts from São Paulo, including one with soccer star Emerson Royal, show him continuing to engage his audience. However, his detention may impact future U.S. travel, as visa overstays can complicate re-entry. Immigration advocates warn that Lame’s case could signal stricter scrutiny for international celebrities, even those with significant cultural contributions.

Khaby Lame’s Visa Overstay and ICE Detention

According to ICE, Khaby Lame, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, entered the U.S. on April 30, 2025, on a temporary visa. He was detained on June 6 at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport for immigration violations, specifically overstaying the terms of his visa. ICE granted him voluntary departure, a discretionary process that allows individuals to leave the U.S. without a formal deportation order, which could have barred him from re-entering for up to a decade. Lame left the country the same day, avoiding long-term immigration consequences.

Lame’s detention sparked confusion when Sharks Celebrities Mgmt., one of his representatives, labeled ICE’s report as “fake news,” claiming Lame hadn’t visited the U.S. that month and questioning the accuracy of the name used in ICE’s statement. However, Lame’s attendance at the Met Gala in New York on May 5, 2025, confirms he was in the U.S. during the period in question, contradicting the agency’s claim. Lame has not publicly commented on the incident, but his social media activity resumed seamlessly, with posts from Brazil, including an Instagram Story alongside Brazilian soccer star Emerson Royal.

For users searching “why was Khaby Lame detained by ICE,” the incident highlights the complexities of visa compliance, even for high-profile figures. Lame, an Italian citizen since 2022, rose to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his factory job in Italy. His wordless, expressive videos have made him a global sensation, earning him partnerships with brands like Doritos and Hugo Boss, as well as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador role. Yet, his detention underscores that fame does not exempt anyone from U.S. immigration laws.

The Role of Bo Loudon in Lame’s Detention

The story took a controversial turn when 18-year-old conservative influencer Bo Loudon claimed credit for Lame’s detention. Loudon, a pro-Trump activist and self-proclaimed friend of Barron Trump, posted on X that he reported Lame to ICE, alleging the TikToker was an “illegal alien” who overstayed an “invalid visa.” Loudon shared a screenshot allegedly from ICE’s detainee locator, claiming Lame was held at Henderson Detention Center in Nevada, though Lame’s name no longer appears in the database. ICE confirmed the detention but did not verify Loudon’s involvement.

Loudon’s posts labeled Lame a “far-left influencer,” a claim unsupported by Lame’s apolitical content, which focuses on humor rather than political commentary. This sparked backlash on X, with users like

@tommymiles arguing that Lame’s detention was unfair and driven by a “right-wing social media agitator” rather than evidence of serious violations. Others, like

@dogeai_gov, praised ICE’s actions as a sign of stricter enforcement under the Trump administration. For users searching “Bo Loudon Khaby Lame,” this controversy highlights the intersection of social media influence, politics, and immigration enforcement.

Trump’s Immigration Crackdown and ICE’s Role

Lame’s detention occurred amid a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration, which began its second term in January 2025. Trump’s policies have prioritized mass deportations, with ICE targeting at least 3,000 daily arrests. The operation involves 1,800 agents from Homeland Security Investigations, 2,000 Justice Department employees (including FBI and DEA personnel), 500 Customs and Border Protection officers, and 250 IRS agents, some of whom use tax data to locate immigrants. This aggressive approach has led to detentions of both undocumented individuals and those with valid documentation. Further raising concerns among immigration advocates.

For those curious on how Trump immigration policies are affecting others. The crackdown reflects a return to Trump’s first-term strategies, which saw a significant increase in ICE arrests and removals. The administration has labeled anyone living in the U.S. illegally as a “criminal.” A stance that has fueled tensions and protests. Lame’s case, though resolved quickly, illustrates how even high-profile individuals can be swept up in this enforcement net. Especially at entry points like airports.

Recent Protests Against ICE and Immigration Policies

Lame’s detention coincided with widespread protests against ICE, particularly in Los Angeles, where raids sparked demonstrations starting June 6, 2025. These protests escalated after Trump deployed National Guard troops to the city. A move criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as an overreach of executive authority. Demonstrators, including civil liberties groups, have condemned ICE’s intensified operations. Which have targeted individuals with valid visas or green cards alongside undocumented immigrants.

Social media posts on X reflect mixed sentiments: some, like @TaylorLorenz, clarified that Lame was not formally deported but granted voluntary departure. Pushing for accurate reporting. Others, like @kate_ross_, criticized ICE’s detention capacity, noting it’s operating at 200-300% beyond normal limits. Further, raising concerns about fairness and due process. Protests have also spread to New York, Dallas, and Atlanta, driven by fears of broader sweeps under Trump’s policies.

The Los Angeles demonstrations turned violent in some instances, with reports of a New York Post photographer and a reporter being shot with rubber bullets while covering the events. These incidents have fueled debates about the balance between immigration enforcement and civil rights. With Lame’s detention serving as a high-profile example of the policy’s reach.

Khaby Lame and the Harsh Reality of U.S. Immigration

For fans eager to learn more about immigration, this viral moment cuts deeper than celebrity gossip. It also reflects the real-world impact of U.S. immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Though his detention was brief, it spotlighted heightened border scrutiny and sparked widespread public reaction. Supporters flooded X with messages backing Lame, calling his detainment “unjust” and demanding accountability from immigration officials.

Adding to the intrigue is political figure Bo Loudon’s alleged involvement. Ultimately, fueling debates about selective enforcement and celebrity treatment. This intersection of fame, politics, and policy has transformed Lame’s case into a unique symbol. Specifically, of how even the most followed personalities aren’t immune to systemic pressure.

As ICE protests grow across major cities, Lame’s situation serves as a sobering reminder. Proving that immigration laws don’t bend for follower counts or celebrity status. Now continuing his content creation from Brazil, the TikTok sensation remains a beacon of humor and relatability. But behind the laughs, fans see a larger narrative—one that mirrors the uncertainties many immigrants face.