Over the past few days, the internet's been buzzing with a bizarre claim: that Khaby Lame, the silent, hilarious TikTok creator with over 162 million followers, was arrested by ICE in the U.S. Supposedly, he was picked up for overstaying his visa and not paying his taxes.
At first glance, it’s the kind of headline that makes you pause mid-scroll. But once you scratch the surface, the cracks start to show.
So... what’s really going on here?
Where Did the Khaby Lame Arrest Rumour Start?
The whole thing seems to have started with a post on X (yeah, that’s what Twitter’s called now). A conservative personality named Bo Loudon claimed he had reported Khaby Lame to ICE and even shared what looked like a screenshot from the ICE detainee locator. According to Loudon, Lame was supposedly locked up at the Henderson Detention Centre in Nevada.
It didn’t take long for the post to go viral, getting picked up, reposted, and spun in every direction. But here’s the thing: the story doesn’t hold up under even the lightest fact-check.
Let’s Talk Facts: There’s No Proof Khaby Was Arrested
For starters, there’s been zero confirmation from any official agency. ICE hasn’t said anything. Neither has Homeland Security. And Khaby’s team? Not a peep about any legal trouble.
Then there’s the screenshot Loudon shared. People started digging into it, and surprise, surprise, it doesn’t match up. The name on the database doesn’t align with Khaby Lame’s legal name, and when folks tried to search the ICE detainee site themselves, they found nothing. Zilch.
Also worth noting: Khaby Lame isn’t exactly an unknown figure. If someone with his global profile had actually been detained, there’d be a paper trail. Media outlets, immigration records, official statements, something. But instead, there’s just one social media post and a sketchy screenshot.
The Residency Angle: Why the Visa Claim Doesn’t Make Sense
Another thing that throws the whole story off? Khaby’s not even based in the U.S.
Lame was born in Senegal and raised in Italy. In 2022, he officially became an Italian citizen. Most of his content is filmed in Europe, and there’s no verified info suggesting he lives or even spends significant time in the States.
So, the idea that he overstayed a U.S. visa feels... like a reach, to say the least.
Why This Kind of Rumour Spreads So Fast
It’s easy to see why this blew up. Khaby Lame is one of the biggest names on TikTok, and anytime a mega-celebrity gets tangled up in a controversial story, especially one involving immigration or taxes, it catches fire.
There’s also a pattern: social media thrives on outrage. Add in a dash of political angle, and suddenly people are sharing, commenting, and arguing without checking if the story’s legit.
Unfortunately, some influencers seem to bank on that. It’s not the first time someone’s gone viral off a half-baked (or totally made-up) claim. And it probably won’t be the last.
Fans Are Clapping Back
The good news? Khaby’s fans aren’t buying it. Many have jumped in to defend him, calling out the misinformation and pointing out how little sense it all makes. Some even accused Loudon of using Khaby’s name to chase clout or score political points.
Social media platforms were soon flooded with clips of Khaby’s recent activity, which clearly showed he wasn’t behind bars, or anywhere near a U.S. detention centre.
Bottom Line: Khaby Lame Is Fine
So, let’s put this one to rest: Khaby Lame has not been arrested by ICE. There’s no legit evidence, no official confirmation, and no reason to believe he’s in any legal trouble in the U.S.
This whole episode is just another case study in how quickly misinformation spreads, especially when you mix celebrity with politics and outrage culture. It’s a reminder to slow down, dig deeper, and not take every viral post at face value.
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