Latest news with #CreatorsoftheYear
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ICE Breaks Silence After TikTok's Khaby Lame Detained At U.S. Airport
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.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Most-followed TikTok star Khaby Lame detained by ICE, leaves US voluntarily
TikTok megastar Khaby Lame has left the United States after being detained by federal immigration. '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 representative told People. Lame, who holds the record as the most followed on TikTok with over 160 million followers on the platform, was asked to leave the U.S. because he 'overstayed the terms of his visa.' The 25-year-old content creator was stopped by ICE at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and granted voluntary departure once he was detained. The social media star was born in Senegal and was moved to Italy when he was a baby. He was granted Italian citizenship in August 2022. Lame rose to fame when he started sharing silent comedic videos on TikTok during the pandemic after he was laid off from his job. 'Before TikTok, I was working in a factory. I had a lot of different jobs,' he told People after being named one of their Creators of the Year. '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.' In May of 2025, Lame was seen at the Met Gala celebrating the theme of Black Dandyism in a grey and cream suit. The detainment comes amid Trump's immigration crackdown. ICE has launched raids all over the country, enforcing the president's mass deportation campaign promise in workplaces, schools, airports and college campuses. As for Lame, he has been active on social media since the detainment and hasn't spoken publicly about what happened. ____________
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TikTok Star Khaby Lame Was Detained by ICE
TikTok star Khaby Lame was detained by ICE on June 6 for an immigration violation, PEOPLE can confirm The social media star, who has over 200M followers across the platform, is a Senegal native who was granted Italian citizenship in August 2022 Lame has since left the United States upon being granted voluntary departure, an ICE spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLETikTok star Khaby Lame was detained by ICE on Friday, June 6 for immigration violation, PEOPLE can confirm. "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 told PEOPLE in an email statement on Monday, June 9. "Lame entered the United States April 30 and overstayed the terms of his visa." The Senegalese-Italian influencer, 25, — who moved to Italy from his native Senegal when he was a baby, but was granted Italian citizenship in August 2022 — has since left the country, confirmed the ICE spokesperson. "Lame was granted voluntary departure June 6 and has since departed the U.S.," continued ICE's statement. News of Lame's detainment came after rumors swirled online that the internet phenom was arrested. PEOPLE reached out to a representative for Lame for comment on Monday, June 9 on the matter, but did not immediately hear back. In 2024, Lame was named one of PEOPLE's Creators of the Year. He opened up about his humble beginnings and meteoric rise to fame on social media, where he continues to hold the record for having the most followers on TikTok to date. "Before TikTok, I was working in a factory. I had a lot of different jobs,' he told PEOPLE last year. "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 amassed fame online for his comedic content. Specifically, he's known for silently mocking overly complicated "life hack" and other situational videos. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "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 shared. "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." The content creator also revealed his first big purchase since his success. "The first thing I did with the money I've made is buy a bigger house for my family," he revealed. "We're a family of seven. It's a big family." Lame added, "I don't like to spend a lot of money, but for this, my family has always done so much for me." Read the original article on People
