Khaby Lame, a renowned figure on TikTok boasting over 160 million followers, recently made headlines as he left the United States following an encounter with immigration agents in Las Vegas over an alleged visa overstay.
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The Senegalese-Italian influencer, known legally as Seringe Khabane Lame, was detained last Friday at Harry Reid International Airport. Fortunately, he was permitted to exit the country without facing a deportation order, as confirmed by a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to the ICE representative, Lame arrived in the U.S. on April 30 but “overstayed the terms of his visa.” As of now, he has chosen not to publicly address the circumstances surrounding his detainment.
Understanding Voluntary Departure
The option of voluntary departure, which was granted to Lame, is a significant relief for individuals facing removal from the U.S. This pathway allows them to avoid having a deportation order on their immigration record, which could complicate their ability to return to the U.S. for up to a decade. As noted by immigration experts, “Voluntary departure can be a way to maintain one’s dignity while addressing immigration status.”
A Rise to Fame
At just 25, Lame catapulted to stardom during the pandemic, captivating audiences without uttering a single word in his TikTok videos. His content features humorous reactions to absurdly complex “life hacks.” With over 162 million followers on TikTok and an additional 80 million on Instagram, his influence continues to grow.
Having moved to Italy as an infant, Lame holds Italian citizenship. His journey into the public eye has seen rapid expansion; he signed a multi-year partnership with the esteemed designer brand Hugo Boss in 2022 and was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador earlier this year.
Just last month, he graced the Met Gala in New York City shortly after arriving in the U.S., solidifying his status as a global icon in the realms of fashion and social media.
In the words of Khaby Lame himself, “Life is simple, and I just want to show that.” His message resonates, reminding us all to embrace simplicity in an increasingly complex world.
Source: AP
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
