Khaby Lame, the Italian-Senegalese TikTok star with over 160 million followers, has been deported from the United States after allegedly overstaying his visa, according to U.S. immigration authorities.
The 25-year-old influencer was detained last Friday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The agency confirmed his removal in a statement, saying Lame had entered the country on April 30 and failed to comply with the terms of his visa.
Lame was issued a voluntary departure order and has since exited the country. His next verified location was São Paulo, Brazil, where he posted an Instagram Story on Monday.
The deportation has sparked online controversy, particularly after conservative Gen Z activist Bo Loudon claimed he was behind the tip-off to authorities. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Loudon wrote:
“Every single illegal alien needs to be DEPORTED. When I found out the biggest TikTok star, Khaby Lame, is an illegal alien evading taxes, I worked with Trump’s ICE to have him removed.”
Loudon, who frequently shares photos with former President Donald Trump and other MAGA figures, elaborated in an interview with online streamer Dylan Page, claiming he “made a few calls” to officials after hearing rumors about Lame’s legal status.
“I just called some buddies in the administration,” he said. “And I’ve never seen anything happen so quick.”
Loudon also accused Lame of being politically hostile to Trump supporters, though no public evidence exists to support the claim. Lame has never made any known political statements or commentary regarding U.S. politics.
Known for his signature deadpan expressions and silent reactions to convoluted “life hack” videos, Lame rose to international fame over the past few years. His viral content landed him brand partnerships with top fashion labels, a cameo in a Hollywood film, and a U.S.-based reality show, Khaby Is Coming to America, which aired on Tubi.
Despite the unfolding controversy, Lame has not publicly addressed his deportation. His former legal counsel, Riccardo Lanzo, told The New York Times that Lame had spent significant time in the U.S. recently, but admitted uncertainty about his visa status.
The move comes amid a broader immigration crackdown under President Trump’s renewed term, with ICE increasing arrests and deportations—even among high-profile figures in the entertainment and influencer industries.
Loudon declined further comment to The New York Times, directing inquiries instead to his earlier interview.
