Khaby Lame, the silent king of TikTok and one of the most beloved digital creators in the world, just found himself in the middle of a real-life controversy that’s anything but silent. The viral star was detained by U.S. immigration officials and has now self-deported back to Italy—sparking concern, confusion, and conversation across social media.
🎥 TikTok’s Silent Star Faces U.S. Immigration Scrutiny
Khaby Lame—the internet’s favorite silent comedian and the most-followed person on TikTok—is making headlines once again, but this time it’s not for one of his viral videos.
The 25-year-old influencer was reportedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 6 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
According to TMZ, the reason? He allegedly overstayed his visa.
Rather than face deportation proceedings, Khaby Lame opted to self-deport back to his home country of Italy.
🌍 Why This Matters
This situation with Khaby Lame comes at a time when immigration enforcement in the U.S. is under a hot spotlight.
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on cracking down against dissent has sparked concerns, especially after similar incidents involving high-profile figures like Twitch streamer HasanAbi.
Hasan Piker (aka HasanAbi) recently revealed he was detained by ICE agents at Chicago O’Hare and questioned for hours—about both his politics and his opinions on global conflicts.
The growing pattern has alarmed critics, who argue this could be a targeted silencing of influencers and public figures who’ve spoken out on social or political issues.
📅 The Timeline: What We Know
- April 30: Khaby Lame enters the United States.
- June 6: Detained by ICE in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa.
- He’s offered the option to self-deport before being placed in formal deportation proceedings.
- He returns to Italy voluntarily.
🤔 Who Is Khaby Lame?
If you’ve ever scrolled TikTok, chances are you’ve seen Khaby Lame—the Senegalese-Italian creator known for his hilarious, wordless reactions to overly complicated life hacks.
His signature deadpan expressions and sharp sense of humor turned him into a global superstar almost overnight.
- TikTok Followers: 162.2 million
- Major Collabs: Doritos, Kellogg, Qatar Airways
- Accolades: Named one of People’s 2024 Creators of the Year
- Red Carpet Moment: Showed up and showed out at the 2025 Met Gala
Despite his lighthearted content, Khaby’s situation highlights a serious issue—how international creators can become entangled in the complexities of U.S. immigration law, especially during politically charged times.
🧳 What’s Next For Khaby Lame?
There’s no official word on whether Khaby Lame will be allowed back into the U.S. anytime soon, but fans are hopeful this won’t derail his career.
If anything, this experience could add another layer to the story of an international star who rose from job loss during a pandemic to global fame—without ever saying a word.
🗣️ Let’s Talk About It
Were you shocked by Khaby Lame’s detainment? Sound off in the comments below or hit me up on social!
Never miss a scoop — sign up for IceCreamConvos.com’s free daily newsletter and stay in the know with the hottest celebrity news, jaw-dropping headlines, and stories everyone will be talking about.
Lock In With Ice Cream Convos:
