TikTok star Khaby Lame ‘self-deports’ after Visa snafu, and the irony is thick enough to spread

Seringe Khabane Lame, better known as Khaby Lame, the most-followed TikTok star in the world, recently faced a shocking clash between his worldwide fame and the complicated rules of U.S. immigration law.

The incident, which involved Lame being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and later allowed to leave the country voluntarily, shows the strange contrast between being an international celebrity and dealing with strict immigration policies.

On June 6, 2025, Lame was detained at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. According to USA Today, ICE confirmed that the 25-year-old Italian-Senegalese citizen had stayed in the U.S. longer than his visa allowed. He had entered the country on April 30, but details about the exact type of visa he had were not shared.

The violation led to his detention. The situation quickly spread online, partly because political activist Bo Loudon claimed he had personally reported Lame to immigration officials. Loudon said Lame was held at the Henderson Detention Center in Nevada. The NY Post was given this statement by ICE: “US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for overstaying the terms of his visa.”

Khaby Lame will self-deport

Lame’s detention, even though it was short, was a sharp contrast to his incredibly successful online career. He became famous during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his factory job in Italy.

The irony in Lame’s situation is hard to ignore. A man whose humor connects with millions around the world ended up caught in the confusing web of U.S. immigration rules. Lame’s case also reflects a bigger discussion about immigration enforcement. His detention happened during a time of strict immigration crackdowns that began under the Trump administration.

These crackdowns, which included mass deportations affecting people in many different situations, led to strong public and legal backlash. Critics argued that these actions often ignored fair legal processes and caused families to be separated, which many saw as going against American values. While Lame’s case did not involve such extreme measures, it still highlights the ongoing debate about how to balance immigration laws with human rights.

In the end, Lame was allowed to leave the U.S. voluntarily on June 6 and “self-deported.” While the exact details of his visa issue are unclear, his experience shows how unpredictable international travel can be, especially for people whose lives are deeply connected to the global digital world.