Popular social media sensation Khaby Lame has left the United States following an encounter with immigration authorities that stirred global attention. The Italian-Senegalese content creator, known for his silent, humorous reactions to overly complicated life hacks, was briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6, 2025.
According to sources, Lame was held over concerns regarding his visa status. The 25-year-old influencer had reportedly overstayed the time permitted under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows Italian passport holders to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a formal visa. Having entered the country in late April, Lame had exceeded this period by several days, prompting action from immigration officials.
After discussions with ICE personnel, Lame opted for what is legally termed a “voluntary departure.” This means he left the U.S. willingly, avoiding the consequences of formal deportation, such as bans on future entry. Officials confirmed that by choosing this route, the TikTok star preserved the possibility of returning to the country in the future, provided he secures the appropriate travel authorization or visa.
The incident rapidly gained media attention when Bo Loudon, an 18-year-old American conservative influencer, claimed responsibility for alerting ICE about Lame’s visa status. Loudon, who has publicly identified himself as a friend of Barron Trump, took to social media to suggest that Lame’s removal was politically motivated, describing the TikTok star as “far-left” and accusing him of alleged tax evasion. These statements triggered widespread debate online, with supporters of Lame criticizing the move as unnecessary and politically charged, while others defended the enforcement of immigration laws.
Lame, who boasts over 160 million followers on TikTok and is regarded as one of the platform’s most influential figures, has so far remained silent on the matter. His management team has not issued any formal statement, leaving fans and media outlets speculating about the circumstances and his future travel plans to the United States.
Across major cities like Los Angeles and New York, ICE operations have intensified in recent weeks, leading to public protests and widespread media coverage. Some commentators see Lame’s experience as part of this wider effort to enforce stricter immigration compliance, regardless of the celebrity status of those involved.
The post on his Instagram story was captioned: “São Paulo, Brazil”.
