Khaby Lame, a popular Tiktoker, has been deported from the United States for overstaying his visa.
The social media sensation, who is known for his silent reaction videos, was detained by U.S. immigration officials earlier this month.
Arrested in Las Vegas
The 25-year-old content creator, who holds both Italian and Senegalese citizenship, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 6, 2025. According to an official statement from ICE, Lame was taken into custody at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Authorities said he entered the U.S. on April 30, 2025, and stayed beyond the period allowed by his visa. ICE confirmed that he had violated the terms of his stay in the country, which led to his arrest and eventual removal.
Voluntary departure
In the statement, ICE explained that Lame was given a “voluntary departure order.” This means he was allowed to leave the country on his own, rather than being forcibly deported. He complied with the order and has since exited the United States.
“Mr. Lame overstayed the terms of his authorised stay,” the agency said. “He was detained, processed, and granted a voluntary departure. He has since departed the country.”
The agency did not give further details about the length of his overstay or whether he may face difficulties returning to the U.S. in the future.
No immediate reaction from Lame
At the time of this report, Khaby Lame has not made any public statements regarding the incident. Despite being one of the world’s most recognised internet personalities, he has remained silent about the controversy surrounding his detention and removal.
However, many fans noticed his absence from U.S.-based events and collaborations in recent days. Rumours of trouble began to spread online before the official statement from immigration authorities confirmed his deportation.
Instagram post hints at new location
Following his exit from the U.S., Lame broke his silence with a post on Instagram, where he has more than 80 million followers. On Wednesday, he updated his Instagram Story with a brief message that simply read: “São Paulo, Brazil.”
Who is Khaby Lame?
Khaby Lame became famous during the COVID-19 pandemic for his unique videos on TikTok. He reacts silently to overly complicated “life hack” videos, using simple hand gestures and facial expressions to show a better way. His calm, wordless style has helped him reach a wide international audience.
With over 160 million followers, he is currently the most-followed TikTok creator in the world. His success has led to several brand endorsements, appearances at international events, and collaborations with celebrities.
In 2022, Lame became an Italian citizen after living in the country for many years. He was born in Senegal but moved to Italy as a child. He often shares messages of peace, simplicity, and humour with his global fan base.
What happens next?
It is unclear how the deportation will affect Lame’s future travel to the United States. In many cases, individuals who overstay their visas may face temporary bans or increased visa scrutiny when applying again.
Legal experts say voluntary departure is better than forced deportation. It may help him avoid longer-term consequences, but his future access to the U.S. could still depend on decisions by immigration officials.
Public reactions
Reactions from fans have been mixed. Some are defending Lame, saying the situation may have been a misunderstanding or administrative error. Others are criticising him for not following visa rules, especially as a high-profile figure with a global audience.
So far, none of Lame’s management or official representatives have released a formal statement.
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