Lame, 25, who holds Italian citizenship and is best known for his signature silent TikTok videos, was stopped at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6.
ICE confirmed to AFP that the influencer, born Seringe Khabane Lame, had entered the United States on April 30 and had remained beyond the legal duration of his visa.
The world's most-followed TikToker, with more than 162 million followers, was released the same day and granted "voluntary departure" from the United States.
He has since left the country, though he has not publicly addressed the incident as of Saturday afternoon.
Lame's brief detention comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration violations under President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January and has since pursued an aggressive immigration enforcement agenda. Some of those measures have faced legal challenges in US courts.
Born in Senegal in 2000 and raised in Italy, Lame skyrocketed to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his factory job. His wordless, universally relatable skits, often mocking overly complex online 'life hacks' with deadpan expressions and a signature hand gesture, made him a viral star and cultural phenomenon.
Despite his silent persona, Lame's influence has been anything but quiet. In recent years, he has served as a juror on Italia's Got Talent, made cameo appearances in Hollywood films like Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and even voiced a character in the Italian dub of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
In 2024, he debuted his unscripted comedy series Khaby Is Coming to America on Tubi â€" an ironic title given recent events.
In 2025, Lame was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, further cementing his status as a global figure whose humour transcends borders. His partnerships with major brands such as Hugo Boss, Fortnite, and Walmart have helped him amass a net worth estimated between $16 million and $20 million.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
