Seringe Khabane “Khaby” Lame, currently the world’s most-followed creator on TikTok, has quietly left the United States—shortly after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying his visa. Khaby Lame’s swift detainment and voluntary exit underscore the complexities of U.S. immigration laws, especially for global celebrities. While he avoided a formal deportation, his case highlights the perils faced by foreign nationals working abroad without proper visas—and the degree to which enforcement may hinge on public profile.
Date & Location: On June 6, at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, ICE agents detained 25-year-old Italian-Senegalese influencer Khaby Lame for allegedly exceeding the two-month stay allowed under his tourist entry, following his April 30 arrival. Rather than facing formal deportation, Lame was granted a voluntary departure—allowing him to leave the U.S. without receiving a removal order that would bar him from re-entry for up to ten years. He promptly boarded a flight the night of June 6 and has since returned to Italy. {source, apnews}
/*Celeb Spotlight in Immigration Policy*/: Lame’s case unfolded in the midst of intensified immigration enforcement under the current Trump administration, known for high-profile ICE actions across the U.S.
/*Political Underpinnings*/: Conservative influencer Bo Loudon—reportedly connected to the Trump youth sphere—claimed responsibility for Lame’s flagging, while ICE confirmed the detention but attributed public attention to it as part of broader policy enforcement.
/*Celebrity Versus Ordinary Travelers*/: Coverage suggests that Lame’s massive fame may have yielded a more lenient resolution—receiving voluntary departure when many less-known overstayers might face harsher repercussions. {source, economictimes.indiatimes}
The incident spotlights how U.S. immigration law is applied amidst public scrutiny—raising questions about fairness when celebrity status seems to influence outcomes.