Khaby Lame, the world’s top TikTok star with millions of followers, has left the U.S. after being detained by immigration authorities in Las Vegas for allegedly overstaying his visa.
The Senegalese-Italian influencer, whose real name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was held on Friday at Harry Reid International Airport but was allowed to leave without a deportation order, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Lame entered the U.S. on April 30 and reportedly overstayed his visa, the ICE spokesperson said. He has not made any public statements regarding his detention.
His departure comes amid President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement, including raids in Los Angeles that sparked protests, as the administration pushes the limits of its executive power.
Lame was granted voluntary departure, which means he avoided a formal deportation order that could have barred him from reentering the U.S. for up to ten years.
The 25-year-old gained worldwide fame during the pandemic by silently reacting to overly complicated “life hacks” in his videos, amassing over 162 million TikTok followers.
Born in Senegal, Lame moved to Italy as an infant with his working-class parents and holds Italian citizenship.
His internet success led to a multiyear deal with designer brand Hugo Boss in 2022, and in January, he was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Just last month, shortly after arriving in the U.S., he attended the Met Gala in New York City.
