Khaby Lame, the Italian-Senegalese TikTok star renowned for his wordless comedic videos, has been deported from the United States for allegedly overstaying his visa, according to a report by The New York Times.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that the 25-year-old social media influencer was detained last Friday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Officials stated that Lame entered the U.S. on April 30 but exceeded the permitted duration of his visa.
With over 160 million followers on TikTok, Lame rose to global fame for his silent reactions to convoluted “life hack” videos. His popularity has earned him partnerships with top fashion brands, a role in a Hollywood film, and a Tubi reality series titled Khaby Is Coming to America.
His deportation has generated significant buzz online, sparking both criticism and support. Bo Loudon, a Gen Z political influencer and Trump supporter, claimed credit for alerting authorities, alleging Lame was evading taxes and overstaying illegally.
As of Monday, Lame has not publicly addressed the situation, but he posted an Instagram story tagged in São Paulo, Brazil—his first known location since departing the U.S.
His former lawyer, Riccardo Lanzo, told The New York Times that while Lame had spent considerable time in the United States recently, there was ambiguity surrounding his visa status.
The incident comes amid intensified immigration enforcement efforts under President Trump’s renewed administration, with a focus on high-profile individuals and overstays.
