ICE Breaks Silence After TikTok's Khaby Lame Detained At U.S. Airport

Yahoo

4 hours ago

superstar found himself in unexpected legal trouble last week after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Las Vegas for an immigration violation.
Khaby Lame was held on Friday, June 6, at Harry Reid International Airport for overstaying the terms of his visa.
'U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations,' an ICE spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE. 'Lame entered the United States April 30 and overstayed the terms of his visa.'
The spokesperson further clarified that Lame was granted voluntary departure on the same day and has since exited the United States.
Rumors of the social media star's detainment had been swirling online over the weekend before the official confirmation from ICE on Monday, June 9.
Lame, who became an internet sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic for his hilarious, wordless reactions to overly complicated 'life hack' videos, currently holds the record as the most-followed creator on TikTok. In 2024, he was honored as one of PEOPLE's Creators of the Year, sharing his inspiring journey from modest beginnings to international stardom.
'When I discovered TikTok during COVID, I was making videos for fun. It was a way for all of us to step outside of all the things that were going on in the world,' he told the outlet. 'I was just there trying to make people laugh. It wasn't something that I expected to be my form of work in the future.'
Lame was born in Senegal and moved to Italy as a baby, officially gaining Italian citizenship in 2022. Despite his fame, the 25-year-old has stayed grounded, often highlighting his gratitude toward his family.
'The first thing I did with the money I've made is buy a bigger house for my family,' he said. 'We're a family of seven. It's a big family. I don't like to spend a lot of money, but for this, my family has always done so much for me.'
LA has become the epicenter of a sweeping immigration enforcement campaign, spearheaded by ICE under directives from President Trump. Following visa overstays like TikTok star Khaby Lame, massive federal raids have targeted schools, workplaces, and even routine check-in appointments, unleashing widespread community backlash.
According to CBS News, hundreds of undocumented immigrants who reported for mandatory ICE check-ins at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles were instead taken into custody, with dozens detained overnight in cramped basement holding rooms lacking proper beds and food
Attorney Lizbeth Mateo recounted a harrowing case involving a family who appeared for a routine check-in, one parent protected by a stay of removal, and a child who is a U.S. citizen, only to be detained and held overnight in cramped, unsanitary basement cells. Despite having legal safeguards in place, the father remained in custody as of Friday.
'This is something I've never seen before,' Mateo told CBS. 'Under any other circumstance… he would have been released.'
The basement detentions were among the most jarring developments in a wave of aggressive ICE operations on June 6, targeting at least 45 people across locations like Home Depot, factories, and the Fashion District. Despite some protesters resorting to throwing rocks and concrete, law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs, drawing criticism over disproportionate force.
Amid escalating unrest, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, asserting the protests amounted to 'a form of rebellion." This move bypassed objections from Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, who labeled the action unconstitutional and inflammatory.
The City of Los Angeles, state leaders, immigrant advocates, and civil rights organizations have denounced the raids and detentions as heavy-handed and potentially unconstitutional. California is now suing the federal government over the deployment, arguing it violates state authority and threatens First Amendment rights, per The Guardian.
In the days ahead, the clash between sanctuary policies and federal power will likely shape the future of immigration enforcement.
For now, thousands of Americans have their eyes on Los Angeles, where enforcement tactics, detention practices, and military intervention all collide in a monumental showdown.