World’s top TikToker Khaby Lame leaves US after detention over Visa breach

Las Vegas: Khaby Lame, currently the most followed creator on TikTok, has departed the United States after being detained by immigration officials in Las Vegas over an alleged visa overstay.

The Senegalese-born Italian influencer, legally named Seringe Khabane Lame, was briefly held recently by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport. A spokesperson from ICE confirmed in a statement that Lame was allowed to exit the country voluntarily, thus avoiding a formal deportation order.

According to the agency AP, Lame had arrived in the US on April 30, but “overstayed the terms of his visa”. As of Tuesday, Lame has not issued any public statement regarding the incident.

His detainment and subsequent departure come at a time when President Donald Trump is intensifying his administration's immigration crackdown. Recent ICE raids in Los Angeles led to prolonged demonstrations, as opposition to the agency's actions grows and questions mount over the limits of executive authority.

ICE clarified that Lame was granted a voluntary departure. This provision enables individuals facing removal to leave the US without incurring a deportation order, which might otherwise bar re-entry for up to 10 years.

At just 25, Lame became a global star during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to his silent yet expressive video reactions to unnecessarily convoluted life hacks. His relatable humour catapulted him to over 162 million followers on TikTok alone.

Lame, who was born in Senegal and raised in Italy by working-class parents, holds Italian citizenship. His meteoric rise has led to high-profile opportunities — in 2022, he signed a multiyear deal with fashion label Hugo Boss, and in January this year, he was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

Just last month, he made an appearance at the Met Gala in New York City, only days after entering the US.