Khaby Lame—the man who made the world laugh without saying a single word—has quietly left the United States after a brief run-in with immigration authorities in Las Vegas.
The 25-year-old Senegalese-Italian TikTok sensation, known for his hilarious takes on overcomplicated “life hacks,” was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport last Friday. According to officials, he had overstayed the terms of his visa. But instead of being deported, Lame was granted a voluntary departure, allowing him to leave the U.S. without a formal removal order on his record.
For someone who rose from modest beginnings—born in Senegal, raised in Italy by working-class parents—to becoming the most-followed creator on TikTok with more than 162 million followers, the incident is a sharp reminder of how even global fame doesn’t shield one from the intricacies of immigration laws.
Lame, whose real name is Seringe Khabane Lame, hasn’t commented publicly about the incident, and his team has yet to respond to media inquiries. He had only recently arrived in the U.S. on April 30 and attended the prestigious Met Gala in New York City—a testament to how far he’s come from the factory layoffs in Italy that pushed him to start making videos during the pandemic.
His departure also happens at a time when immigration issues are once again at the forefront of American politics, with new crackdowns and high-profile raids making headlines under the Trump administration.
Despite the setback, Khaby’s career remains strong. In recent years, he has landed brand deals with Hugo Boss and earned the honor of being named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. While his trip to the U.S. may have been cut short, his global impact—and his silent yet powerful voice—continues to speak volumes.
