TikTok Star Khaby Lame Exits U.S. Following Immigration Enforcement

Renowned TikTok influencer Khaby Lame was detained and subsequently deported from the U.S. due to visa violations, following heightened immigration enforcement under President Trump's administration. The incident highlights the intersection of social media celebrity and political maneuvering as other influencers claim responsibility for his removal.

The TikTok phenomenon Khaby Lame, known for his comedic and straightforward reaction videos, recently faced a dramatic turn of events when he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Las Vegas. This incident, which occurred on June 9, 2025, comes amid President Trump's stringent immigration policies, which have sparked significant discourse around legality and celebrity status in the social media age.

Lame, who boasts over 160 million followers on TikTok, was apprehended at Harry Reid International Airport after he was found to have overstayed the terms of his visa, initially secured when he arrived in the United States on April 30. Following his detention, he opted for voluntary departure and exited the country shortly thereafter.

Adding to the controversy, teen influencer and pro-Trump activist Bo Loudon claimed responsibility for Lame's deportation. Loudon announced on social platform X that he had alerted authorities to Lame’s visa status, asserting that he 'discovered' Lame was staying illegally in the country. He further emphasized his connections within the administration, boasting about the swift action taken.

Lame, originally from Senegal but raised in Italy, gained fame for humorously simplifying convoluted life hacks in his TikTok videos, leading to partnerships with various brands and appearances in entertainment productions. Despite the public scrutiny and implications of political sentiment surrounding his removal, Lame has not publicly addressed these events. He continues to engage with his audience from Brazil, where he shared social media updates following his departure.

This incident underscores the growing intersection between celebrity culture and immigration politics, raising questions about the implications of fame, legality, and advocacy in the digital sphere.