Khaby Lame, a well-known face in the world of social media who brought laughter to millions without uttering a single word, has now become the subject of a serious headline after having been arrested at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States for violating immigration laws.
The incident, which occurred on June 6 when the 25-year-old Italian TikTok star arrived in Las Vegas, highlights the Trump’s administration’s heavy-handed approach against immigration.
As per reports, the U.S. immigration authorities detained him for overstaying his visa. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) later confirmed that Khaby Lame was found in violation of visa terms, but he was released the same day under the condition of “voluntary departure.”
Originally from Senegal, Khaby moved to Italy at a young age and obtained Italian citizenship in 2022. His ascent to celebrity started during the COVID19 shutdown, following his factory loss. He started uploading silent, funny videos poking overcomplicated tutorials with easy, wordless solutions in his free time, swiftly capturing world notice.
Khaby Lame now has over 162 million followers on TikTok, and his simple, silent, and distinct comedic style has become the key to his worldwide popularity. He also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, a United Nations agency. According to Forbes, he earned approximately $16.5 million between June 2022 and September 2023 through brand deals and marketing projects.
The argument about his arrest grew when Bo Loudon, a famous proTrump political activist, claimed he had personally lodged a complaint against Khaby Lame. Although the claim was initially doubted, ICE’s formal statement affirmed that immigration violations caused the arrest to occur.
This event took place against ever tighter immigration enforcement in the U.S., especially under policies affected by former President Donald Trump that have brought about more aggressive actions against unauthorized people.
Khaby Lame has not yet released an official statement on the event. Millions of his followers on social media, nevertheless, are eagerly awaiting confirmation of his welfare and a justification.
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