Khaby Lame, the Italian-Senegalese TikTok sensation known for his iconic silent reactions to absurd life hacks, has reportedly been deported from the United States for overstaying his visa, according to The New York Times.
The 25-year-old social media star, who boasts over 160 million followers and is currently the most-followed TikToker in the world, was briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last Friday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
In an official statement, ICE confirmed that Lame entered the U.S. on April 30 but “overstayed the terms of his visa,” prompting enforcement action.
Lame’s meteoric rise to fame has included brand deals with major fashion houses, a Hollywood acting debut, and a reality show titled Khaby Is Coming to America, which premiered on Tubi.
The deportation has stirred reactions online, particularly among right-wing circles. Bo Loudon, a pro-Trump Gen Z activist, claimed credit for alerting ICE. “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,” Loudon posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Lame has yet to issue a formal public statement regarding his deportation. However, on Monday, he shared an Instagram story tagged in São Paulo, Brazil—his first known location since leaving the U.S.
His former lawyer, Riccardo Lanzo, told The New York Times that while Lame had spent extended periods in the U.S. recently, his legal status may have become unclear. “There was likely some confusion or miscommunication about his visa duration,” Lanzo noted.
Lame’s deportation comes as part of a broader crackdown on immigration violations under former President Donald Trump’s return to office and his administration’s renewed hardline policies.
It remains unclear whether Lame intends to reapply for a U.S. visa or if the deportation will affect his international projects.
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