Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok star with over 162 million followers, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 6, 2025, at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa. Lame, a Senegalese-Italian influencer known for his silent comedic reactions to absurd life hacks, entered the U.S. on April 30, 2025, and was granted “voluntary departure,” allowing him to leave the country without a formal deportation order, which could have barred him from re-entering for up to a decade. He has since left the U.S., with recent social media posts indicating he is in Brazil, including a clip from a Brazilian national soccer match shared on his Instagram Story on June 10, 2025. Lame has not publicly commented on the incident, and his management agency, Sharks Celebrities Mgmt., has called the ICE report “fake news,” claiming he did not visit the U.S. this month, though this contradicts ICE’s official statement.
The detention has been linked to an escalating immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, with Bo Loudon, an 18-year-old MAGA influencer who claims to be Barron Trump’s friend, asserting he reported Lame to ICE. Loudon’s claims remain unconfirmed by ICE, and some X community notes have questioned their credibility. The incident has sparked significant attention, given Lame’s global fame and his recent appointment as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in January 2025.
Public Reactions:
- Shock and Support from Fans: Lame’s followers have expressed shock and support across social media platforms, particularly in the comment sections of his posts, despite his videos being unrelated to the incident. Comments on Instagram include sentiments like, “Hang in there @khaby00 and make it all legal! You are loved by so many!” and “Bro ain’t deported just winning,” reflecting a mix of concern and encouragement. Fans have praised his resilience, with some noting the irony of a silent comedian facing such a complex bureaucratic ordeal.
- Criticism of Immigration Policies: The incident has fueled discussions about U.S. immigration policies, with some outlets, like the Times of India, describing it as a “Kafkaesque” example of the Trump administration’s harsh crackdown. California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the broader immigration raids, including those in Los Angeles, as “unconstitutional,” highlighting the political context surrounding Lame’s detention.
- Polarized Sentiment on X: Posts on X show a range of reactions. Some users, like @TheCalvinCooli1, amplified the news of Lame’s detention, while others, like @MelikAbdul_, questioned the narrative pushed by Loudon, asking when Lame became a “far-left activist” and expressing skepticism about the motives behind his targeting. Loudon’s claims have drawn both support from his followers and criticism, with media outlets reporting he was called a “rat” for allegedly reporting Lame.
- Media Frenzy and Irony: News outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone, have covered the story extensively, noting the irony of Lame—a figure known for simplifying absurdity—being caught in a complex immigration system. The Times of India highlighted his signature gesture (palms up, eyes wide) as a grim parody of his situation, resonating with fans who see him as an “everyman” trapped in bureaucracy.
