Italian-Senegalese TikTok star Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed content creator on the platform, has been deported from the United States for allegedly overstaying his visa, according to The New York Times.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that the 25-year-old was detained last Friday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Officials stated that Lame entered the U.S. on April 30 but violated the terms of his visa.
Lame gained fame for his silent comedic takes on overcomplicated life hacks, amassing over 160 million followers. His global reach has led to brand deals with major fashion houses, a Hollywood role, and a Tubi reality show titled Khaby Is Coming To America.
His deportation has triggered strong reactions online. Bo Loudon, a self-proclaimed Gen Z Trump supporter, commented on X (formerly Twitter):
“Every single illegal alien needs to be DEPORTED. When I found out the biggest TikTok star, Khaby Lame, is an illegal alien evading taxes, I worked with Trump’s ICE to have him removed.”
Lame has not made an official statement. However, on Monday, he posted an Instagram story tagged in São Paulo, Brazil—his first known location after leaving the U.S.
His former attorney, Riccardo Lanzo, told The New York Times that Lame had spent extensive time in the U.S. but that there had been confusion over his visa status.
This incident comes amid stricter immigration enforcement under the renewed Trump administration.
