As a devoted admirer, I’m sharing some recent updates about Khaby Lame, the popular TikTok sensation. Yesterday, it was reported that he was held at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since then, he has departed from the United States. According to CTV News, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that Lame arrived in the U.S. on April 30th and allegedly overstayed the terms of his visa.
This detainment occurs amid ongoing protests and unrest in Los Angeles, sparked by ICE raids within local communities. Interestingly, Lame was granted a voluntary departure from the U.S., which avoids a deportation order on their immigration record. This decision could potentially allow the TikTok star to re-enter the U.S. sooner than if a formal deportation order had been issued, preventing him from returning for up to a decade.
TikTok star Khaby Lame has left the U.S. after reportedly being detained by ICE
As a devoted follower, I’m thrilled to share that Khaby Lame, known for his silent reaction videos, has gained an astounding 162 million followers on TikTok since making a name for himself during the pandemic. Originally from Senegal but raised in Italy, this 25-year-old social media sensation is said to hold Italian citizenship. Unfortunately, at present, he hasn’t spoken about his recent detainment.
Some people have noted some interesting calculations since the story was shared on Reddit yesterday. If it’s accurate that Lame arrived in the United States on April 30th, then at the time of his detention, he would not have been in the country for more than 41 days. Visitors from countries like Italy can participate in the U.S.’s Visa Waiver Program if they plan to stay for 90 days or less. Their travel must be for tourism or business purposes and they need a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). It’s challenging to conceive how Lame could have gone beyond these guidelines.
The allure of traveling to the U.S. for foreigners is decreasing, as an increasing number of travelers encounter detentions and denied entry. This sentiment was noticeable during Summer Game Fest last weekend, prior to any city-wide protests. While it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reasons, there appeared to be a lower presence of international developers and media at the event.
If not for the constant news updates, the evolving situation might have gone unnoticed. Smoke in the distance is a common sight in Los Angeles after living there for a year. The only way I realized it was the burning Waymos was through social media posts. I would often walk to and from the Summer Game Fest campus and didn’t see any signs of violence. Los Angeles hadn’t been taken over or occupied; it was as tranquil as any typical LA day, but it wasn’t until ICE arrived and started detaining people from their neighborhoods that things took a turn.
Reddit users highlighted in the top comments that Khaby Lame’s circumstances were quite fortunate. He is well-known, relatively affluent, and currently held up at an international airport. Fewer people will find themselves in a predicament significant enough for a major news story to be written about it. Another user wrote, “I thought they were targeting criminal gangs and murderers,” emphasizing the absurdity of detaining a TikTok star when the intention was to deport lawbreakers.
According to a separate MSNBC report, a well-known conservative social media figure seems to have claimed responsibility for Lame’s arrest. I won’t mention their name as I prefer not to provide them with additional exposure. This person reportedly learned from some of their friends and associates that Lame had exceeded his visa limit and allegedly passed this information on to the Trump administration. If mere rumors from a third party can result in someone being detained by a government official, then who is safe from such arbitrary actions?
Be cautious about information found online, even if it comes from government officials.
In the US, numerous cities are hosting peaceful protests this weekend to support events happening in Los Angeles. Attending isn’t mandatory, but standing up against oppression and tyranny in numbers makes a stronger statement. Demonstrate that you don’t condone these actions.
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2025-06-12 00:02