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Saturday, Jun 14, 2025
Outside the box.
Khaby Lame Exits the US After Brief Detention by ICE Over Visa Issues
The TikTok star, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, departs the US following the enforcement of immigration policies as protests escalate in response to recent deportation actions.
Khaby Lame, the world’s most followed TikTok creator, has departed the United States after being briefly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents over allegations of overstaying his visa.
Known for his humorous and often silent videos that provide commentary on social media trends, Lame was apprehended at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 8. ICE spokespersons confirmed that the influencer arrived in the US on April 30 and had overstayed the permitted period of his visa.
Following his detention, Lame was released the same day and opted for voluntary departure to avoid a deportation order, which could have barred him from re-entering the US for up to ten years.
ICE stated that Lame has since left the country.
Born in Senegal and raised in Italy, Lame gained international fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, amassing over 162 million followers on TikTok.
His rise to fame has also led to opportunities including participation in high-profile events such as the Met Gala.
In August 2022, Lame was granted Italian citizenship and has since been recognized as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, highlighting his influence and reach beyond social media.
The incident involving Lame coincides with a broader wave of immigration enforcement actions under the current US administration, which has seen protests erupt in cities like Los Angeles.
These protests were sparked by increased raids targeting undocumented immigrants, raising concerns among communities about the implications of such policies.
During the recent protests, hundreds gathered in Los Angeles, decrying aggressive immigration tactics and demanding more humane policies.
This backdrop of heightened tensions around immigration enforcement in the US has raised questions about the impact of stringent measures on individuals, including those with valid documentation.
The case has drawn public attention not only to immigration practices but also to the role of social media influencers in contemporary culture.
Lame’s influence was further amplified by a statement from Bo Loudon, a self-proclaimed pro-Trump influencer, who claimed responsibility for alerting immigration officials to Lame's alleged visa violation, asserting that he collaborated with authorities to have Lame removed.
Lame's social media presence underscores the complexities of global mobility and immigration laws, as individuals navigate different legal frameworks while gaining international acclaim.
Known for his humorous and often silent videos that provide commentary on social media trends, Lame was apprehended at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 8. ICE spokespersons confirmed that the influencer arrived in the US on April 30 and had overstayed the permitted period of his visa.
Following his detention, Lame was released the same day and opted for voluntary departure to avoid a deportation order, which could have barred him from re-entering the US for up to ten years.
ICE stated that Lame has since left the country.
Born in Senegal and raised in Italy, Lame gained international fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, amassing over 162 million followers on TikTok.
His rise to fame has also led to opportunities including participation in high-profile events such as the Met Gala.
In August 2022, Lame was granted Italian citizenship and has since been recognized as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, highlighting his influence and reach beyond social media.
The incident involving Lame coincides with a broader wave of immigration enforcement actions under the current US administration, which has seen protests erupt in cities like Los Angeles.
These protests were sparked by increased raids targeting undocumented immigrants, raising concerns among communities about the implications of such policies.
During the recent protests, hundreds gathered in Los Angeles, decrying aggressive immigration tactics and demanding more humane policies.
This backdrop of heightened tensions around immigration enforcement in the US has raised questions about the impact of stringent measures on individuals, including those with valid documentation.
The case has drawn public attention not only to immigration practices but also to the role of social media influencers in contemporary culture.
Lame’s influence was further amplified by a statement from Bo Loudon, a self-proclaimed pro-Trump influencer, who claimed responsibility for alerting immigration officials to Lame's alleged visa violation, asserting that he collaborated with authorities to have Lame removed.
Lame's social media presence underscores the complexities of global mobility and immigration laws, as individuals navigate different legal frameworks while gaining international acclaim.
