The world’s most-followed TikToker, Khaby Lame, was briefly detained by US immigration authorities at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the social media influencer was detained for overstaying his visa.
Lame, 25, an Italian citizen and UNICEF goodwill ambassador, entered the United States on April 30. ICE officials stated that he remained in the country beyond the terms of his visa, leading to his detention on Friday. He was released the same day and granted “voluntary departure,” after which he left the US.
Lame, who has over 162 million followers on TikTok, has not commented publicly on the incident as of Saturday afternoon. His silent reaction videos, which poke fun at overly complicated internet tutorials, have made him a global social media phenomenon.
The incident comes amid a broader tightening of US immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has prioritized stricter controls and increased deportations. Lame’s case drew attention not only for his celebrity status but also for the speed with which he was processed and allowed to leave the country voluntarily.
Lame, who rose to fame after losing his factory job in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic, has since become one of the highest-earning influencers, with Forbes estimating his earnings at$16.5 million between June 2022 and September 2023.