TikTok’s Khaby Lame Has Left U.S. After Being Detained by ICE in Las Vegas: Report

Khaby Lame, the Senegalese-born TikTok sensation known for his signature silent humor and expressive reactions, has reportedly departed the United States after being briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Las Vegas earlier this week.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Lame, who rose to international stardom during the pandemic and now boasts over 160 million followers on TikTok, was held by ICE officers following an apparent visa-related issue during his stay in the U.S. for a series of promotional and brand partnership events.

The 24-year-old influencer was reportedly stopped at a Las Vegas hotel on Monday evening and taken into ICE custody for questioning. Officials have not publicly commented on the reasons behind his detention, but a source close to Lame told international media that the matter involved a lapse in visa documentation — possibly stemming from a misunderstanding about the length of his permitted stay.

“He was cooperative throughout the process,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It seems to have been a paperwork issue, and his team is working with legal counsel to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Lame, who is based in Milan, Italy, has built a global fan base by mocking overly complicated “life hack” videos with simple, wordless solutions and an unimpressed facial expression. He became an Italian citizen in 2022 and has remained one of the most-followed people on TikTok ever since.

Following his release, Lame reportedly boarded a flight back to Italy late Wednesday and is now home safely. On Thursday morning, he posted a photo to Instagram from his apartment in Milan with the caption: “Back home. Grateful for everything.”

The incident has sparked online debate about the treatment of international creators in the U.S., especially those who frequently travel for business or promotional work. While ICE has yet to comment on the case, immigration experts note that even high-profile individuals can face detention if there are discrepancies in travel documentation.

Representatives for TikTok and Lame have declined to issue a formal statement at this time.

Lame’s upcoming appearance at a Los Angeles tech conference has reportedly been canceled. It remains unclear when — or if — he plans to return to the United States.