LAS VEGAS, NV — June 11, 2025 — Social media megastar Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikToker with over 162 million fans, has been deported from the United States after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly overstaying his visa.
Lame, 25, rose to global fame during the pandemic with his viral, wordless reaction videos that poked fun at overcomplicated life hacks. But even his internet celebrity couldn’t shield him from the hardline immigration policy now in full swing under President Donald Trump’s second term.
According to an official ICE statement, Lame who is an Italian citizen arrived in the U.S. on April 30 but remained in the country beyond the terms of his visa. He was detained at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6 and “granted voluntary departure,” the agency confirmed. He has since left the country.
Conservative Influencer Bo Loudon Claims Credit
The saga took a political turn when Bo Loudon, a teenage pro-Trump influencer with close ties to Barron Trump, claimed responsibility for Lame’s removal.
“I discovered he was an illegal who overstayed an invalid visa, evaded taxes, and I personally took action to have him deported,” Loudon posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Though Lame has not made overt political statements, Loudon labeled him a “far-left illegal alien” in his viral post an accusation that sparked backlash online, with many calling it a “performative witch hunt.”
In a YouTube interview released Monday with conservative creator Dylan Page, Loudon elaborated: “I just called some buddies in the administration. I’ve never seen anything happen so quick.”
Lame’s team has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Tensions Rise Nationwide as Deportation Campaign Expands
The incident comes as part of a broader, aggressive push by the Trump administration to tighten immigration enforcement. Last week, ICE agents conducted a series of high-profile detentions in Los Angeles, sparking mass protests and public outcry. In response, the White House authorized the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of U.S. Marines to manage unrest in major cities.
Democratic leaders have condemned the move as “militarized overreach,” arguing that it risks escalating tensions unnecessarily.
As the Trump administration doubles down on its hardline immigration stance a key part of its 2024 campaign even global influencers like Khaby Lame appear to be fair game.
