Italian TikTok sensation Khaby Lame, known for his iconic silent reaction videos, was briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6, 2025, for allegedly overstaying his visa.
According to ICE officials, Lame—who had been visiting the U.S. for business and entertainment appearances—was found to have remained in the country beyond the period authorized under his visa. He was not criminally arrested but was taken into custody for administrative immigration processing. Authorities confirmed he was granted voluntary departure, a resolution allowing foreign nationals to exit the country on their own rather than face formal removal proceedings.
Lame, who gained Italian citizenship in 2022 after being born in Senegal and raised in Italy, has since returned to Italy without further incident. ICE noted that he cooperated fully with officials, and no future bans or restrictions have been imposed, provided future visa compliance is observed.
The incident quickly went viral after screenshots alleging his arrest were posted on social media, prompting confusion and misinformation. Some users criticized what they saw as selective immigration enforcement, while others questioned how such a high-profile individual could mismanage visa terms. The viral nature of the story highlights the precarious intersection of fame, international travel, and immigration policy.
Khaby Lame, with over 160 million followers on TikTok, remains one of the platform’s most recognizable faces. Neither he nor his team has publicly commented on the situation, though sources close to the influencer say it was an unintentional oversight and steps are being taken to prevent future issues.
The matter is now resolved, with no ongoing legal consequences.
