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(NewsNation) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly detained the most-followed creator on TikTok on Friday.
Khaby Lame, whose full name is Seringe Khabane Lame, is an influencer with Italian-Senegalese roots. He was detained at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada due to immigration issues, as reported by USA Today.
Lame, who is 25 years old and holds Italian citizenship, reportedly stayed in the U.S. beyond his visa’s allowed duration, according to ICE. He was offered the choice to leave the U.S. voluntarily by ICE after his detention, and he decided to exit the country.
Khaby Lame became famous during pandemic
Khaby Lame rose to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his job in Italy. Known for using the hashtag “learnfromkhaby,” he creates video content reacting to other creators demonstrating complicated life hacks.
Once he watches the “hack,” he shows himself easily completing it, typically without saying anything. Lame is reportedly an ambassador for the men’s clothing company Boss. He is also an ambassador for Binance and UNICEF.
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Italian influencer Khaby Lame arrives for the screening of the film “Top Gun : Maverick” during the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 18, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images) -
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Khaby Lame attends the “TikTok – Un Racconto Italiano” event at Spazio Manin on December 14, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Khaby Lame takes selfies with fans as he attends the “Il Signore Delle Formiche” red carpet at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 06, 2022 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images) -
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Khaby Lame arrives at the Hotel Excelsior during the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 06, 2022 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) -
TAORMINA, ITALY – JUNE 28: Khaby Lame attends the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 28, 2023 in Taormina, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images) -
MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 03: Khaby Lame poses for a photo in the Red Bull Racing garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 03, 2023 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) -
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 18: Khaby Lame walks the runway at the Boss fashion show during the Milan Womenswear Spring/Summer 2025 on September 18, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Pietro D’Aprano/Getty Images) -
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – NOVEMBER 30: Khaby Lame looks on in parc ferme during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 30, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Lame moved from Senegal to Italy as a baby, but as The Associated Press reported, he didn’t gain Italian citizenship until 2022.
In 2024, he was named one of People’s Creators of the Year. He told the publication at the time, “Before TikTok, I was working in a factory. I had a lot of different jobs. I was helping support my family — three little brothers, one older brother and my parents. Then my world changed completely. It’s a whole different life now.”
Lame’s detainment is one small part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. During his presidential campaign, he had promised to create mass deportations, which have led to ICE raiding workplaces, airports and more across the country.
