Khabane “Khaby” Lame born March 9 2000 in Dakar Senegal is the worlds most followed TikToker He moved to Chivasso near Turin Italy as a one year old and rose to fame during the COVID19 pandemic by creating silent comedic reaction videos that mock overly complicated “life hacks” His universal appeal propelled him to over 162 million TikTok followers as of mid June 2025
Holding Senegalese and Italian citizenship granted in August 2022 Khaby has landed major brand deals including Hugo Boss and has been named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador
US Entry and Visa Context
Khaby entered the United States on April 30 2025 with a temporary visa reportedly to attend the prestigious Met Gala earlier in May
However during his stay US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE determined he had overstayed his visa exceeding the authorized period and therefore violated immigration terms
Detention in Las Vegas June 6
Where and when On June 6 2025 ICE agents detained Khaby Lame at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas Nevada
ICE’s statement A spokesperson confirmed that Lame had overstayed his visa but had been granted “voluntary departure” status meaning he wasn’t formally deported and could potentially apply again in the future
Voluntary departure This option lets travelers leave the US on their own without the legal repercussions of a deportation order which would make future entry harder
Khaby’s Denial and Conflicting Accounts
Khaby’s rep agency Sharks Celebrities Mgmt strongly refuted ICE’s version calling it “fake news” They claimed he hadn’t even been in the US during June
Adding weight to their claim Khaby posted a video of himself in Brazil around that time ACSports and AP News later shared footage of him playing soccer in Americana São Paulo suggesting he was already in Brazil by June 6
So ICE insists he was detained on June 6 his reps and social media activity suggest he had already departed Khaby himself has not directly clarified in public.
Also read: Record Breaking $37 Billion in Remittances A Lifeline for Pakistan’s Economy
Soccer in Brazil Post Departure
After his exit from the US Khaby traveled to Brazil and joined AC Milan player Emerson Royal for a community soccer match in Americana Organized by a councilman the match raised 150 food baskets for needy families Khaby’s team claimed a 31 victory and he stayed on afterward for a celebratory meal
He was reportedly visiting Brazil during this trip not the US behind ICE’s timeline supporting his agency’s assertion.
Was This Politically Motivated
This occurred amid a surge in ICE enforcement and high profile raids in Los Angeles part of what many observers call a larger immigration crackdown under former President Donald Trump Mass protests were sparked in May and June including deployment of National Guard troops in LA
Adding fuel to speculation Bo Loudon an 18 year old conservative influencer and self described friend of Barron Trump claimed he reported Khaby’s visa issue to ICE Loudon alleged he collaborated with Trump aligned networks though he admitted zero knowledge of Khaby’s content and made unverified claims like tax evasion
Implications for Khaby’s Future
No formal deportation Since Khaby accepted voluntary departure he was not deported and likely wont face the harsh re entry penalties that come with formal removal orders
Potential comeback He might reapply for a US visa in the future provided his documents and travel intentions comply
Public perception The controversy brings into focus themes of celebrity vulnerability potential politicization of immigration enforcement and growing scrutiny of ICE actions
Summary of Key Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Apr 30 2025 | Khaby enters the US on temporary visa to attend Met Gala |
| Jun 6 2025 | ICE detains him at Las Vegas airport for visa overstay grants departure |
| Early June | Khaby is in Brazil playing soccer — his reps deny US presence |
| Jun 9–11 2025 | Conflicting reports surface agency calls ICE claims “fake news” |
Final Thoughts
Khaby Lame’s alleged detention illustrates tangled issues
Immigration nuances Overstaying a US visa even by days can lead to detention but voluntary departure is a softer outcome
Media vs reality ICE’s version and Khaby’s travel evidence directly clash leaving the truth obscured
Celebrity and politics Involvement of politically connected individuals raises questions about targeted enforcement
For Khaby himself the outcome is uncertain Without deportation or public statements his travel and visa status remain unresolved His massive Instagram and TikTok followings combined with ongoing brand partnerships and global presence mean he’s likely to reappear on the global stage soon visa troubles notwithstanding.