Khaby Lame, the most-followed person on TikTok, was briefly detained by US immigration officials for overstaying his visa, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Lame, a 25-year-old Italian citizen, was stopped by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 6.

According to an official statement shared with AFP, Khaby Lame had entered the United States on April 30.

However, he stayed beyond the time allowed by the terms of his visa, leading to the immigration violation.

ICE officials detained him on Friday, but later the same day, they allowed him to leave the country voluntarily. He has since departed the US.

So far, Lame has not made any public statements about the incident, and as of Saturday afternoon, he had not posted anything on social media regarding what happened.

Khaby Lame

Khaby Lame is not only a viral sensation but also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He has gained global recognition through his unique, wordless videos.

I his videos, he humorously mocks overly complicated internet “life hacks.” With 162.2 million followers on TikTok, he holds the top spot as the platform’s most-followed creator.

Lame’s rise to fame started in early 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he had just lost his job as a factory mechanic in Chivasso, near Turin, Italy.

See also Australians in Kenya told to stay alert as terror risk rises

While spending time in his family’s housing project, he began posting silent videos on TikTok. His signature move—raising his palms to the sky with a knowing smile and wide eyes—quickly became iconic.

His creative, relatable content struck a chord with millions of people around the world, and his fame soared.

Between June 2022 and September 2023, he reportedly earned an estimated $16.5 million through various brand partnerships and marketing deals, according to Forbes.

US on immigration

This visa issue comes at a time when the United States has been taking a stricter stance on immigrants and immigration.

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has enforced tougher immigration policies and launched a mass deportation campaign.

However, parts of these efforts have been challenged in US courts.

Despite the brief trouble in the US, Khaby Lame’s global popularity remains strong. Many of his fans continue to support him and await his next post as he moves forward from this incident.