US Departs TikTok Star Khaby Lame Following Detention by ICE Authority
Troubles for TikTok Superstar Khaby Lame
The globally popular TikToker, Khaby Lame, has hit a bump in his venture to the U.S., following an alleged visa overstay. According to The Guardian, the 18-year-old Italian-Senegalese sensation was briefly detained by ICE at a Las Vegas airport on June 6, 2025.
His temporary sojourn in the Land of the Free and the Brave came to an abrupt end, prompting his departure from the country immediately following his release on the same day.
A Chance Encounter Leads to Detainment
The twist in Lame's journey may have roots traced as far as pro-Trump influencer, Bo Loudon. Loudon asserts that he had sparked a flag with government officials regarding Lame's immigration status. In a bold statement on X, Loudon gloated, "I virtually flagged his immigration status to government officials. No one is above the law!" The influencer claimed to have collaborated with immigration authorities and the Department of Homeland Security to discharge Lame from U.S. soil.
However, it's crucial to emphasize that ICE has yet to confirm Loudon's involvement in Khaby Lame's detention, raising eyebrows and fueling speculation of political manipulation.
Rising Star and UNICEF Ambassador
Born in Senegal, Lame emigrated to Italy with his family at the tender age of one. With his humorous TikTok videos, chronicling task completion in silence, Lame ascended the social media ladder post-pandemic, eventually gracing Fortune's 40 Under 40 and Forbes' 30 Under 30 lists.
His accomplishments hit new heights in 2024 when Lame made a splash as one of Forbes' Top 10 Content Creators, reigning as the most-followed TikToker to date. Lame even joined forces with UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador in February of the same year.
Image: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images
[1] The controversial role of Bo Loudon in Khaby Lame's detention (website, date accessed: June 8, 2025)
[2] ICE's official statement regarding Lame's detainment and departure (website, date accessed: June 8, 2025)
[3] Khaby Lame's background and rise to stardom (website, date accessed: June 8, 2025)
[4] The details of Khaby Lame's visa and subsequent detainment (website, date accessed: June 8, 2025)
Despite Bo Loudon's claims of flagging Khaby Lame's immigration status to authorities, ICE has yet to confirm his involvement in the social-media sensation's detainment at a Las Vegas airport on June 6, 2025. This incident raised concerns about potential political manipulation.
As a celebrated TikToker and UNICEF Ambassador, Khaby Lame's career in entertainment and social media has provided a platform for his comedic content, which escalated his popularity during the pandemic, leading to appearances on Forbes' 30 Under 30 and 40 Under 40 lists, and currently holds the title of the most-followed TikToker.
