All fact checks

“A viral screenshot claims to show evidence of the arrest of social media personality Khaby Lame.”

Verdict

✅True

Confidence

100%
Social media post· 9/29/2026

What We Found

Reports that social media personality Khaby Lame was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in June 2025 are accurate. While initial social media posts were met with skepticism, major news outlets confirmed that Lame was detained in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa and subsequently left the United States.

Evidence

In June 2025, viral social media posts circulated claims that TikTok star Khaby Lame had been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While some early reports were treated as rumors or hoaxes, authoritative news organizations, including the Associated Press, confirmed that Lame was indeed detained by immigration agents in Las Vegas. According to these reports, the detention was due to Lame having overstayed his visa. Following the incident, it was confirmed that Lame left the United States. While some initial online discourse attempted to frame the event as a hoax or a misunderstanding, the reporting from established news agencies provides consistent evidence that the detention occurred as described.

What's Missing or Misleading

The original claim was often presented without the specific legal distinction between an 'arrest' and 'detention' for immigration purposes, and some early social media discourse incorrectly labeled the event as a hoax before it was confirmed by mainstream news outlets.

Sources Reviewed (3)

Associated Press

TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves US after being detained by ICE

Published 2025-06-10Accessed 2026-07-24View
The Express Tribune

Khaby Lame ICE arrest rumor spreads after activist post sparks online speculation

Published 2025-06-07Accessed 2026-07-24View
Wikipedia

Khaby Lame

Published 2021-05-15Accessed 2026-07-24View

Primary Sources

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)Primary

ICE confirmation of detention (via AP News reporting)

Accessed 2026-07-24View

Fact-Check History

First checked: 9/29/2026
Last updated: 9/29/2026