When TikTok superstar Khaby Lame stepped off his flight at Harry Reid International Airport, he expected flashing cameras and adoring fans, not U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents waiting to handcuff him. The 25-year-old creator—whose trademark shrug has amassed over 165 million followers—was detained on June 6 for allegedly overstaying his tourist visa, turning a routine trip into an international incident that has the internet up in arms.
Lame, born Khabane “Khaby” Lame in Senegal and raised in Italy, had flown to Las Vegas to film a series of brand collabs and attend high-profile social media events. Instead of greeting his manager, he found himself in a locked interrogation room after ICE officers flagged his arrival on April 30 as a potential overstay. “I’ve never felt more powerless,” Lame later posted on his Instagram Story, voice wavering as he pleaded for assistance .
Just landed in Vegas. Thought I was home free—then ICE agents pulled me aside for “processing.” Can’t believe this. #FreeKhaby— Khaby Lame (@KhabyLame) July 5, 2025
ICE confirmed that Lame entered on a B-2 tourist visa valid for 90 days but stayed past his permitted departure date, according to a statement on their official website. The agency says he “voluntarily departed” later that day and faces a possible five-year bar on re-entry for visa violations, rules detailed in the U.S. State Department’s visa bulletin .
Fans erupted on social media under #KhabyLameDetained, with many questioning how an influencer of his stature could be caught in such a snafu. “He’s the world’s most followed TikToker—how do you accidentally overstay?” wrote tech commentator Jane Park, linking to an Reuters report that first broke the story. Others shared their own narrow visa escapes, calling for automatic alerts to warn travelers when their stay nears expiration.
If Khaby can get snared in visa red tape, so can any of us. Time for digital reminders from Homeland Security. #VisaFail— TravelTech (@TravelTech) July 5, 2025
Immigration attorneys point out that B-2 visas typically allow a stay of up to six months, but require strict adherence to departure dates. “Even a single day past your I-94 record can trigger detention,” warns Marcus Liu, a Los Angeles–based immigration lawyer, in an CNN interview . He adds that public figures often assume special treatment, only to discover the system is mercilessly procedural.
Lame’s team issued a brief statement to People magazine confirming his release and departure: “Khaby deeply regrets the misunderstanding over his visa status and appreciates the swift cooperation of ICE officials.” They declined to say whether he would pursue legal action or compensation, though commentators on Forbes speculate he could seek redress for reputational damage and lost earnings .
His team secured a “voluntary departure”—basically a get-out-of-jail-free card. But that ban will sting his brand deals. #InfluencerRights— DigitalBizInsider (@BizInsider) July 5, 2025
The timing has fueled chatter about immigration policy under the new administration. Conservative podcaster Bo Loudon applauded ICE’s firmness, arguing on his YouTube channel that “no one, not even viral stars, is above the law.” Civil rights groups, however, warn of chilling effects on free expression. The ACLU of Nevada released a statement urging ICE to adopt “commonsense exemptions” for journalists and artists who rely on global travel, a principle reflected in international consular protection norms .
Protests organized by influencer communities erupted outside the Swedish consulate in Los Angeles—Khaby’s legal home base—where demonstrators waved placards reading “Don’t Deport Our Voice” and chanted “Justice for Khaby!” Coverage by LA Times highlighted the irony of a man who built his fame on silent reactions being thrust into a debate louder than any of his videos .
Seeing Khaby detained for a simple paperwork error is a wake-up call for all global travelers. #VisaRight— GlobalTravelers (@GlobalTravel) July 5, 2025
Meanwhile, travel blogs and TikTok educators seized on the fiasco to launch tutorials on “visa compliance hacks,” demonstrating how to check I-94 records online and set phone alarms 30 days before expiration. The viral hashtag #CheckYourI94 trended as news outlets from BBC News to Al Jazeera covered the story, warning that even seasoned jet-setters face crippling consequences for minor oversights .
Industry insiders note the broader economic impact: Lame reportedly earns upwards of $500,000 per sponsored post, and sudden travel bans can derail multi city tours and livestream events. According to AdWeek, brands value his engagement rates more than any other creator—so a forced exit from the U.S. market could shave millions off his projected 2025 earnings.
As Khaby regrouped in Europe, fans await his next move. Will he challenge the overstay ruling, push for policy reform, or mute the scandal with a signature shrug and viral comeback video? His silence—unlike his expressive TikToks—speaks volumes about the precarious life of digital nomads in an age of tightening borders.
