International Tiktok sensation Khabi Lame was on Friday 6, detained and later released by the United States immigration officers in Las Vegas, Nevada for allegedly overstaying his visa. The U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcements agency (ICE) confirmed that the Senegalese born Italian, aged 25 was held for immigration violations.
“ICE detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Henry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations,” the agency said in a statement.
Although the situation was resolved quietly, Lame’s case has reignited public discussions around U.S President, Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Originally crafted to deter illegal border crossings and curb visa fraud, these policies have expanded to cover a wider scope of immigration issues, including tourist and business visa overstays.
The viral content creator arrived in the country on April 30, and apparently overstayed the terms of his visa, leading to his arrest. He was later released and allowed to leave the country through ‘voluntary departure,’ a relatively lenient administrative action that allows an individual to exit the U.S without accruing formal deportation record.
This development highlights how even high profile figures are being impacted by United States tougher stance on immigration compliance.
Lame rose to global fame during the COVID-19 pandemic with his signature silent reaction videos mocking over complicated life hacks. He has since attracted over 162 million followers, (becoming the most followed TikToker) attracting massive, prestigious brand deals including with fashion powerhouse Hugo Boss. He was also named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Written by Kennedy Keya.
