World’s most popular TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves US after brief detention over visa violation

Khaby Lame forced to leave the US

Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok creator, has left the United States after being briefly detained by US immigration authorities for overstaying his visa. The 25-year-old Senegalese-born Italian influencer was stopped at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Friday and taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officials confirmed.

Lame, who entered the US on April 30, was found to have remained beyond the permitted duration of his visa. Rather than face formal deportation proceedings, he was granted a voluntary departure — a legal provision allowing foreign nationals to leave the country without a removal order, avoiding long-term re-entry bans.

An ICE spokesperson confirmed the incident in a brief statement but offered no further details. Lame has not commented publicly, and requests for comment from his representatives went unanswered.

Detention highlights broader immigration tensions

Lame’s detention occurred amid a broader crackdown on immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. Recent weeks have seen escalated ICE operations in cities like Los Angeles, resulting in mass protests and political backlash. Critics have accused the administration of overreach and creating a climate of fear among immigrant communities.

From factory worker to global icon without speaking a word

Despite the controversy, Lame’s brief detainment appears to be only a temporary pause in an extraordinary rise. Born in Senegal and raised in Italy, he was laid off during the pandemic in March 2020 from his job as a factory machine operator near Turin. That same year, he began posting on TikTok, where his silent, comedic takedowns of overcomplicated online life hacks quickly went viral.

In 2022, he overtook Charli D’Amelio to become TikTok’s most followed creator, amassing over 162 million followers through his universally understood humor and expressive reactions, all without saying a word.

Global recognition and brand partnerships

Khaby Lame’s influence extends far beyond TikTok. In 2022, he signed a multi-year partnership with fashion brand Hugo Boss and was appointed a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in January 2025. His growing prominence was further reflected in his red carpet appearance at the Met Gala in New York just last month.

While it remains unclear when or under what conditions Lame may return to the US, his global brand and popularity remain strong. His ability to communicate across cultures and languages without speaking has made him one of the most recognizable digital personalities in the world.

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