TikToker, Khaby Lame Detained by U.S. Immigration, Ordered to Leave Country Over Visa Violation

TikTok sensation Khaby Lame was briefly detained by U.S. immigration officials at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Friday, June 6, after allegedly violating the terms of his visa.

The 25-year-old Italian citizen, who was born in Senegal, arrived in the U.S. on April 30 and attended the Met Gala in New York on May 5. However, authorities say his stay breached visa conditions, prompting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take him into custody.

Lame was later released and left the country under a voluntary departure order, avoiding formal deportation.

The popular content creator, known for his silent comedic reactions, boasts over 162 million followers on TikTok. His detention sparked widespread confusion online, especially since his name didn’t appear in ICE’s public detainee database.

Despite the immigration drama, Lame remained active on social media, continuing to post content during the ordeal.

ICE confirmed that his arrest was part of a wider immigration crackdown, tied to the Trump administration’s revived enforcement directives. Lame’s case has added to ongoing debates about how celebrity figures are affected by the changing U.S. immigration landscape.