Khaby Lame Reportedly Detained And Ordered To Voluntarily Depart U.S.

In a shocking turn of events, TikTok sensation Khaby Lame is thought to have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ordered to take a "voluntary departure" from the United States after being accused of overstaying his visa.

In less than two years, Khaby Lame, best known for his wordless, deadpan responses to overly convoluted life hacks, has become a digital empire unto himself, with more than 160 million followers on TikTok alone. But his U.S. trip turned sharply, according to ICE, when he was arrested by agents at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6. Officials said the Senegalese-born Italian national arrived in the country on April 30 and, by early June, had violated the terms of his visa.

Lame was determined to violate immigration status and has been issued a voluntary departure. The action enables people to leave the country at their own expense without facing a formal deportation, although their future re-entry to the U.S. could still be impacted. The incident occurred only weeks after Lame stole the show at last month's 2025 Met Gala in New York City. His appearance was seen as a crossover cultural moment, connecting internet fame with mainstream celebrity. The trip that put him on the map might cause him legal issues.

In a bizarre turn, Lame's management company, Sharks Celebrities Mgmt., has refuted ICE's version of events. The agency also dismissed the report in a statement to NBC News, calling it "fake news" and claiming that Khaby "didn't come to the U.S.A this month." Contradictory accounts have left an online storm of confusion and questions from fans and commentators about whether the world's second-most-followed TikTok star was even in the country.

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At the center of the controversy is a legal and public relations tightrope. If ICE's report is accurate, the implications would be significant for Lame's ability to travel and work in the U.S., a critical market for brand collaborations, entertainment deals, and live events. If, on the other hand, his agency's statement is true, many questions are raised about the accuracy of the immigration report or even the potential for identity mix-ups.

That spotlight on immigration, incidentally, is just a reminder of how difficult it can be, particularly for international talent, to find a permanent home. The second point is that while social media has no borders, there are visa policies. As online notoriety continues to overlap with real-life policy, influencers like Khaby Lame may find themselves caught in bureaucratic clashes that stretch far beyond follower counts.

So far, Khaby Lame has yet to address the controversy, leaving fans in the lurch as they wait for some much-needed answers. Whether a simple misunderstanding, a legal loophole, or bad reporting, the story is a stark reminder that real-world laws still matter, even in the age of viral stardom. For now, though, his next step is being speechless. Yet the noise around this situation is only getting louder.