On June 6, 2025, Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikToker, was briefly detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Las Vagas for allegedly overstaying the terms of his visa, according to official sources.
Lame, arrived in the United States on April 30th and was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on Friday, June 6, at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
Authorities stated that the TikTok star had overstayed his visa duration, leading to what they described as “administrative detention.”
In a statement which was released by the ICE, officials confirmed that Lame was not criminally charged but he was allowed to voluntarily depart the country after being held.
“Mr. Lame was permitted voluntary departure after being found to have violated the conditions of his entry visa, and he was released the same day,” the agency noted.
There have been initial reports of his detention that caused confusion online, with some influencers sharing misleading claims about his arrest. However, the ICE clarified that Lame’s detention was strictly related to immigration procedures and not a criminal matter.
US President Donald Trump has delivered on campaign promises to tighten immigration controls and carry out a mass deportation drive and aspects of which they have been challenged in US courts.
Khabane “Khaby” Lame is a Senegalese-Italian influencer. He is known for his TikTok videos, where he silently mocks overly complicated “life hacks” and other situational videos. He is the most-followed user on TikTok. In 2022, he was listed in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Forbes’ 30 Under 30.
