Khaby Lame, the famously silent TikTok star whose expressive reactions have made him a global internet icon, is now at the center of a growing immigration storm in the United States.
The 25-year-old content creator, born in Senegal and raised in Italy, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday, June 6, at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. According to ICE officials, Lame had overstayed his visa after arriving in the U.S. on April 30. Though he holds Italian citizenship, his extended stay triggered a violation of U.S. immigration rules. Authorities have since granted him a voluntary departure.
Lame’s detention has sparked widespread discussion, not just because of his celebrity status, but because it comes amid an intensifying immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, who returned to office promising sweeping deportations. ICE raids have increasingly targeted airports, schools, and workplaces — a move that critics say undermines basic civil liberties and has stirred concern over how swiftly due process can be cast aside in favor of political messaging.
For many of his 160 million-plus followers on TikTok, the news is jarring. Lame is known for his clever yet simple takedowns of unnecessarily complicated life hacks — often performed silently with a raised eyebrow and a hint of sarcasm. His videos, stitched with the hashtag #learnfromkhaby, evoke a universal charm that transcends language and cultural barriers.
Lame’s rise to fame is the stuff of modern legend: After losing his factory job in Italy during the early days of the pandemic, he began posting videos that quickly resonated with a global audience tired of over-produced content. In a sea of digital noise, his quiet wit stood out.
Also, read: Rwanda Exits Central African Bloc Amid Rising Tensions with Congo
Most recently, Lame turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala in New York, dressed in a tailored gray zoot suit, embracing the theme of Black dandyism with his usual cool, collected demeanor. Beyond the red carpet, he has established partnerships with major brands like Boss, Binance, and UNICEF, cementing his role as both a fashion icon and social impact ambassador.
Yet even internet fame couldn’t shield him from the reach of immigration enforcement. His supporters have expressed concern and disbelief, pointing out that his case reflects a larger trend of policies that some feel prioritize political optics over human dignity.
“He’s not just a TikToker,” one fan wrote on social media. “He’s a symbol of how creativity and perseverance can change lives. Treating him like a criminal is a disgrace.”
Whether Lame will return to the U.S. in the near future remains unclear. For now, he joins a growing number of individuals caught in the crosshairs of an immigration system grappling with both legal scrutiny and public backlash.
As one of the internet’s most recognizable — and wordless — voices, Khaby Lame now finds himself at the intersection of global fame and political controversy. And the world, for once, is waiting to hear what he’ll say next.
