Khaby Lame, TikTok’s most-followed creator with 162 million followers, was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but was later released on ‘voluntary departure’.

Conservative internet personality Bo Loudon posted on X that Lame was arrested and held at Henderson Detention Centre in Las Vegas. Loudon claims he reported Lame “as an illegal alien” for allegedly overstaying a visa and evading taxes. The posts include purported ICE documentation showing Lame’s Senegal birth origin and an A-Number.

Agence France-Presse confirmed in a report, however, that Lame was detained by immigration authorities on June 6 at the Harry Reid International Airport for overstaying his visa, following his entry into the U.S. on April 30. He was released the same day and has since left.

Lame’s Background and Status

Lame, born in Senegal, moved to Italy as an infant and lived there for over two decades before receiving Italian citizenship in 2022. The 24-year-old creator gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his factory job, building his following through videos debunking complicated “life hack” content.

In February 2025, UNICEF appointed Lame as a goodwill ambassador following his visit to Senegal, where he engaged with youth development projects. The appointment aims to leverage his digital audience for youth advocacy initiatives.

The allegations emerge amid increased federal immigration enforcement activities, though no verified connection exists between these operations and the TikTok creator’s reported situation.

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