Khaby Lame Deported from U.S. Amid Trump's Immigration Policies

The removal of influencer Khaby Lame highlights recent immigration enforcement trends under the Trump administration, marking a significant intersection of politics and social media.

In a noteworthy turn of events reflecting current immigration enforcement trends, Khaby Lame, the most followed TikToker globally, was detained by U.S. immigration agents and forced to leave the country amid President Trump’s stringent policies. The 25-year-old Italian-Senegalese influencer, known for his humorous, wordless reaction videos, was held at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas last week for reportedly overstaying his visa, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

This incident drew attention not only due to Lame's celebrity status but also because a Gen Z influencer and pro-Trump activist, Bo Loudon, claimed responsibility for his deportation. Loudon announced on social media that he had informed the authorities about Lame’s alleged illegal status and coordinated with connections within the administration to ensure prompt action. “I just called some buddies in the administration,” he stated in an online interview, highlighting his influence within Trump’s base.

Lame's rise to fame came after he began posting videos that simplified popular life hacks, earning him a staggering 160 million followers. His online career includes partnerships with well-known brands and appearances in various media projects, such as the Tubi streaming show “Khaby Is Coming To America.” Despite his growing popularity, his legal status in the U.S. became questionable, especially as an immigration crackdown has intensified under Trump.

According to Lame's former attorney, Riccardo Lanzo, Lame had spent considerable time in the U.S. while uncertain of his visa status. ICE stated that Lame entered the country on April 30, but had since overstayed his allowed duration. Following his detention, he was given the option for voluntary departure and subsequently left the U.S., only for Loudon to insinuate that Lame’s previous collaborations with “far left influencers” and presumed political leanings contributed to his removal.

Despite the upheaval, Lame has remained active on social media, sharing posts from Brazil shortly after the incidents unfolded. This deportation serves as a striking example of how immigration policy can intersect with the world of social media influencers, influencing not just individual lives but also the dynamics of political activism among youth online. Emma Bubola, reporting from Rome, contributes to this evolving narrative surrounding celebrity culture's entwinement with immigration policies in today's political landscape.