Digital creator Khaby Lame, whose full name is Seringe Khabane Lame, no longer lives in the United States. This follows a brief detention by immigration authorities at an airport in Las Vegas. The Senegalese-born TikTok star is new to the scene as social media seems forever changed in his wake with over 162 million followers. He arrived in the US on April 30 but then allegedly violated his visa conditions by overstaying their duration.
Lame, who immigrated to Italy when he was just a year old, acquired Italian citizenship in August 2022. On the international stage, his trajectory to notoriety started after he lost his factory job in Chivasso as a consequence of the pandemic. He quickly turned to TikTok, where his humorous videos, featuring trademark facial expressions and satirical takes on online absurdities, propelled him to become the most followed creator on the platform in 2022.
While in the United States, Lame was invited to the exclusive Met Gala held in New York City. This exposure propelled his status as an international influencer and UNICEF goodwill ambassador. His visit to mark the occasion took a dramatic turn when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him. They accused him of having violated the terms of his visa.
Three times that day, immigration officials came to release Lame only to return him to detention on the same day. They verified that he has now departed the United States. This strategic move allowed him to dodge an order of deportation by signing a voluntary departure agreement.
The circumstances surrounding Lame’s detention drew attention, particularly from Bo Loudon, a pro-Trump influencer who stated, “I personally took action to have him deported.” His comments bring to the fore the politically fraught environment in which immigration issues are currently enmeshed here in the United States.
In truth, Khaby Lame has already gone back home to Italy after this surprising turn of events. His ability to navigate the complexities of international travel, especially as a prominent public figure, will likely remain closely monitored by fans and media alike.