Khaby Lame Detained by ICE: Visa Overstay, Deportation & TikTok Drama Explained

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Table of Contents

Introduction

In a surprising twist, Khaby Lame — the world’s most-followed TikToker — was briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Las Vegas in June 2025. The reason? Alleged visa overstay while attending influencer events. The incident sparked a storm on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), with many confused about what really happened.

This article breaks it all down: the facts, the rumors, the people involved, and what this means for international influencers entering the U.S. — especially under the Visa Waiver Program.

Who is Khaby Lame?

If you’ve ever seen a wordless man sarcastically fixing “life hacks,” that’s Khaby Lame — a Senegal-born Italian content creator who exploded on TikTok during the pandemic. By 2024, he had amassed over 162 million followers, brand deals with Hugo Boss, and appearances at New York Fashion Week.

He is widely known for:

His silent facial expressions mocking over-complicated videos
Collaborations with football stars, musicians, and global brands
Being a model global creator with little controversy — until now

What Happened in Las Vegas?

In early June 2025, Khaby arrived in the U.S. using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens of eligible countries (like Italy) to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. His entry was recorded as April 30, 2025, in Los Angeles.

ICE reportedly detained Khaby after a citizen tip, stating he had overstayed and was participating in “unauthorized commercial activity” during his stay — including paid event appearances and brand-sponsored content in Las Vegas.

🚨 Important: No formal charges were filed. He was detained, not arrested.

Who Reported Him?

This is where things get spicy.

According to sources, Bo Loudon, a right-wing influencer and son of a well-known conservative author, claimed he tipped off ICE after spotting Khaby at a TikTok x NBA event. Loudon is reportedly connected to Barron Trump, who reposted one of Khaby’s silent TikToks in April.

Loudon accused Khaby of:

Overstaying his welcome
Violating immigration law by earning money on U.S. soil without a proper work visa
“Mocking American values” through content (a bizarre claim)

The claim gained traction on political X circles before ICE issued a statement.

ICE’s Official Statement

An ICE spokesperson confirmed on June 7:

“Mr. Lame was detained temporarily for verification of his legal status. He has since agreed to voluntary departure, avoiding formal removal procedures.”

This means:

He left the U.S. on his own terms
He won’t face a ban
He may still apply for future U.S. visas — especially work-based ones

What is Voluntary Departure?

Voluntary Departure is an option offered to individuals who may have violated immigration law but wish to avoid a deportation record.

Benefits:

No 10-year reentry ban
No formal “removal” on record
Seen as cooperative by immigration officers

For Khaby, this allows:

Smooth future applications (like an O-1 visa)
Avoidance of headlines like “Khaby Deported”

Why Influencers Should Care

This case isn’t just a viral moment. It’s a wake-up call to all international creators who:

Attend paid events in the U.S.
Film content with brand partners on U.S. soil
Monetize videos while in the country on a tourist/VWP basis

U.S. law says:

Tourist visas (or VWP entries) don’t allow any form of income-generating activity — even sponsored posts or ticketed meetups.

Influencers violating this face:

Detention or deportation
Ban from re-entry
Legal trouble for brands that pay them

Public Reaction

Social media platforms exploded with takes. Here’s the pulse:

Twitter/X

#FreeKhaby trended globally
Many users slammed ICE as “xenophobic”
Others questioned if Bo Loudon had political motives

TikTok

Creators posted solidarity clips
One viral remix showed Khaby doing his signature face at an ICE van — over 3M views

Brands

Hugo Boss issued a neutral statement
TikTok made no official comment but has paused U.S. campaign content featuring Khaby

FAQs

Q1: Was Khaby Lame actually arrested?
A: No. He was detained for questioning and released voluntarily.

Q2: Why did ICE take action?
A: He allegedly overstayed under the Visa Waiver Program and was earning income without authorization.

Q3: Can Khaby return to the U.S.?
A: Yes. Since he left voluntarily, he’s not banned but may require a proper work visa.

Q4: Is Bo Loudon connected to Trump?
A: Indirectly. He’s a conservative influencer reportedly connected to Barron Trump, who reposted Khaby’s content in April 2025.

Q5: Will this impact other influencers?
A: Yes. Many agencies are advising creators to check their visa status before posting paid content in the U.S.

Conclusion

Khaby Lame’s run-in with ICE isn’t just about one creator — it’s about a massive legal gray area affecting millions of influencers worldwide. As global creators cross borders, understanding immigration rules is essential. Khaby’s case may be a precedent-setting moment, encouraging platforms and brands to require proper legal paperwork before collaborating in the U.S.

At DailyNewsBuz, we’ll keep tracking how the influencer economy collides with global law. Stay tuned.