Khaby Lame — the most-followed personality on TikTok with over 162 million fans — has left the United States after being briefly detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Las Vegas over an alleged visa overstay.
Lame, whose full name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was stopped at Harry Reid International Airport on Friday, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took him into custody. A spokesperson confirmed that Lame had overstayed the terms of his visa after arriving in the U.S. on April 30.
Rather than face a formal deportation, the 25-year-old Senegalese-Italian influencer was granted voluntary departure, which allows him to leave the U.S. without a deportation order — a critical distinction that avoids a long-term entry ban that can last up to 10 years.
The TikTok star has not made any public statements about the incident. The Associated Press reached out to the contact listed on his Instagram account but has not received a response.
Lame’s departure comes amid heightened tensions around U.S. immigration enforcement under former President Donald Trump’s ongoing political influence, including controversial ICE raids in Los Angeles that have sparked days of protests.
Known for his wordless, comedic takedowns of overly complicated “life hacks,” Lame skyrocketed to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic and became a global sensation. Born in Senegal and raised in Italy by working-class parents, he now holds Italian citizenship.
Despite the setback, fans around the world are hopeful this won’t be the last time they see the beloved content creator in the U.S.
