Khabane “Khaby” Lame had been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Las Vegas. The allegations first shared by conservative activist Bo Loudon on X suggested Lame was detained for overstaying a visa and evading taxes.
“ICE arrested Khaby Lame after I reported his illegal status and tax issues,” Loudon declared, attaching what appeared to be a screenshot from the ICE detainee locator, listing Lame at the Henderson Detention Center. The post ignited a wave of speculation, especially as others like @dom_lucre amplified it.
But is it true? As of June 7, there’s no official confirmation from ICE or Lame’s representatives. That hasn’t prevented U.S. supporters from Times Square to the Santa Monica Pier from clogging up social media with worry and shock.
For those who don’t know, Khabane “Khaby” Lame is Senegalese-born Italian internet influencer. Born on March 9, 2000, he emigrated to Italy at the age of one and grew up in Chivasso, which is near the city of Turin. During the pandemic, he skyrocketed to fame for his wordless, hilarious TikToks mocking absurd “life hacks.”
By 2025, he became the most-followed creator on TikTok with over 162 million followers.
He is not simply some jokester on the internet Lame has appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 and Fortune 40 Under 40 lists, attended the red carpet of the 2025 Met Gala, and in January of 2025 was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
“Laughter is my language, but being a global citizen is my mission,”
Lame once said in a UNICEF interview. His rise from factory worker to global icon is a story of modern fame and that’s what makes these arrest rumors all the more jarring.
Loudon, a political firebrand known for stirring controversy, claimed he personally tipped off ICE about Lame’s “invalid visa” and alleged unpaid taxes. In his post, he asserted that Lame was an “illegal alien,” and even claimed involvement from “DHS patriots.”
He shared a supposed ICE Online Detainee Locator screenshot showing Lame detained under A-number 220963977.
“Even if someone appears in a detainee system, that doesn’t confirm legal wrongdoing,”
said immigration attorney Julia Price.
“Dual citizenship, like Khaby’s Italian-Senegalese status, complicates such allegations.”
Searches using the A-number from Loudon’s post turned up empty. The ICE Detainee Locator also shows no trace of Lame. As of this writing, there’s no official confirmation from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, or Khaby’s camp.
The incident underscores broader concerns in the U.S. over immigration, media literacy, and political manipulation. Loudon’s post walks a fine line between whistleblowing and disinformation, especially considering his ties to the Trump-era DHS and prior record of bold, unverifiable claims.
Khaby Lame is not just a European celebrity he’s a global icon whose content resonates with millions of Americans. His quiet humor has no language barrier. For many, the idea of him being taken into custody on U.S. soil feels deeply unsettling.
“I don’t care about the politics Khaby makes us laugh,”
said 17-year-old TikTok user Zoe from Chicago.
“I just want the truth.”
