Senegalese-Italian TikTok star Khabane “Khaby” Lame, one of the most followed on the platform, who became a worldwide phenomenon with his silent mockery of life hack videos, was detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on June 6, 2025.
America recently issued a complete travel ban on 12 countries and a partial ban on 7 others. Neither Senegal nor Italy features on any of the lists; however, Khaby Lame chose to self-deport as opposed to going through the humiliation ritual of being kicked out off the home country like a criminal.
Per an ICE spokesperson, the 25-year-old overstayed his visa after arriving in the US on April 30. If Lame hadn’t opted for the voluntary flight back to Italy, his deportation by the ICE would mean no stepping foot in the US for a decade.
World’s top TikTok star Khaby Lame allowed to ‘self-deport’ by ICE after attending Met Gala – and then overstaying visa https://t.co/CKcsKpoWae pic.twitter.com/EYavDdFJaw
— New York Post (@nypost) June 9, 2025
While the conservatives support America’s policy of deporting illegal immigrants, the brutal manner in which individuals are nabbed has raised concern. Several citizens are protesting the ICE arrests in major cities of the country.
Protests in LA turned violent as some protestors vandalized several Waymo robotaxis and engaged in looting. As the protest enters its fourth day, the government has deployed marines outside the town. Around 700 marines are currently on standby. Some 200 people have been taken into custody in the city.
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Cover: Patrick Gawande / Mashable India