Serigne Khabane Lame, globally known as Khaby Lame and celebrated for his signature deadpan TikTok reactions, has voluntarily left the United States following a brief detainment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 25-year-old Senegalese-Italian influencer was taken into custody on June 6 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for overstaying a temporary visa issued upon his arrival on April 30.
Lame, the most-followed TikToker in the world with over 162 million followers, had been in the U.S. to attend high-profile events, including the Met Gala in New York City. However, his short stay unexpectedly ended in an encounter with ICE that brought a sobering spotlight to immigration enforcement policies in the country.
“Lame was granted voluntary departure June 6 and has since departed the U.S.,” an ICE spokesperson confirmed.
Though ICE did not specify Lame’s next destination, his Instagram story posted days later placed him in São Paulo, Brazil—not Italy, where he holds citizenship and usually resides.
Social Media Reacts as Fans Rally Around Lame
The news of Lame’s detainment quickly rippled across social media platforms, with fans flooding his comment sections with supportive—and occasionally humorous—messages. Despite Lame not addressing the issue directly, followers engaged with his posts in large numbers, offering both encouragement and commentary on the immigration incident.
“Sad to hear. But laws have to be followed wherever you go. No exceptions,” one fan wrote on an older Instagram post, echoing the sentiment of many who viewed the situation through the lens of legal compliance.
Another simply put,
“Bro ain’t deported, just winning,” in a lighthearted take on an otherwise serious situation.
The influencer’s silence on the matter hasn’t stopped speculation. Comments like “Is it true you were captured by ICE?” have become common under his content, indicating widespread awareness of the incident among his global fanbase.
Immigration Tensions Rise Amid Trump-Era Policy Resurgence
Lame’s detainment coincides with rising concerns over immigration enforcement in the U.S., particularly under former President Donald Trump’s push to reinstate mass deportation raids. Federal authorities have reportedly begun coordinated actions in cities like Los Angeles, reigniting debates over due process, fairness, and the use of local law enforcement in federal immigration actions.
While Lame’s case may seem minor compared to broader enforcement efforts, it highlights how even high-profile figures are not immune from immigration regulations—and how rapidly such issues can catch public attention in the digital age.
Unlike some who face detention under far graver circumstances, Lame was granted voluntary departure—a relatively lenient option under U.S. immigration law that allows a person to leave the country without facing a formal deportation order, preserving their eligibility for future reentry.
A Spotlight on the Influencer Visa Dilemma
Khaby Lame’s experience also opens up broader questions about how digital influencers navigate international travel, often attending multiple high-profile events across borders while managing complex visa requirements. For creators whose livelihoods rely on a global presence, even a minor administrative misstep can have outsized consequences.
Although Lame has not released a public statement, his decision to leave the U.S. voluntarily and avoid legal complications suggests a strategic move to safeguard his international status—and perhaps maintain eligibility for future travel to the United States.
What’s Next for Khaby Lame?
For now, Lame’s millions of followers continue to engage with his content, largely unaffected by the visa incident. But the broader narrative—the collision of internet celebrity, immigration law, and political policy—continues to unfold.
Whether his next Instagram story comes from Brazil, Italy, or elsewhere, one thing remains clear: Khaby Lame isn’t just making people laugh—he’s now part of a much larger conversation about global mobility in a tightening world.
