Entertainment News: Trap Artiste 21 Savage Arrested In The US, Could Face Possible Deportation

21 Savage has been arrested in Atlnata, United States and kept in Ice custody by Immigration officers for breaking immigration laws by overstaying in the country.

Though he is often referred to as a local Atlanta rapper, ICE officials say he is actually “a United Kingdom national” and has overstayed his visa.

“Mr. Abraham-Joseph initially entered the U.S. legally in July 2005, but subsequently failed to depart under the terms of his nonimmigrant visa and he became unlawfully present in the U.S. when his visa expired in July 2006,” ICE spokesman stated.

“In addition to being in violation of federal immigration law, Mr. Abraham-Joseph was convicted on felony drug charges in October 2014 in Fulton County, Georgia,” the statement added.

The rapper has been placed in “removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts,” Cox said. “ICE will now await the outcome of his case before a federal immigration judge to determine future actions.”

Dina LaPolt, the rapper’s lawyer, told The Washington Post in a statement that she is trying to get him released and “clear up any misunderstandings.”

“Mr. Abraham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in this country, especially in Atlanta, Georgia, and is actively working in the community – leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy,” LaPolt said.

The rapper is best known for his single “Bank Account” as well as being featured on hit songs such as Post Malone’s “Rockstar,” Cardi B’s “Bartier Cardi” and Drake’s “Sneakin’.”

His latest album “I Am > I Was” hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in January. He is often praised as “one of Atlanta’s most promising rappers.”

The charges came as a surprise to many fans, who long thought the rapper was from Georgia. At the time of his arrest, the Wikipedia page for the rapper says he was born in Atlanta in 1992, where he “was raised by his mother, Heather, who is of Dominican origin and his four brothers and six sisters, though one is now deceased due to a shooting after a drug deal gone haywire.”

Furthermore, various profiles point to the rapper being “expelled from all DeKalb County schools for getting caught with a gun in the 7th grade.” He also often spoke about “giving back” to the Atlanta community. In August, he hosted his third annual “Issa Back 2 School Drive” to benefit students from DeKalb County Schools, which helps outfit children with uniforms and school supplies.

“I might rap about a lot of stuff, but that’s just a reflection of what I’ve been through,” he said at the event. “In real life, everything I do, I want to bring everybody together. I want to give back to the community, help the kids, get them uniforms, books, book bags, everything they need . . . just do better. That’s where it starts, the kids.”

ICE, though, says he was born in the United Kingdom.

“His whole public persona is false,” an ICE spokesperson reportedly told CNN correspondent Nick Valencia. “He actually came to the U.S. from the U.K. as a teen and overstayed his visa.”

However,

The rapper’s lawyer has since issued a statement addressing his legal situation.

According to the document, ICE officials have refused to release the entertainer on a bond. It also reveals that a U Visa application their client has been pending since 2017, which points to the government’s knowledge of his immigration status.

“Based upon incorrect information about prior criminal charges and now refusing to release him on a bond of any amount, despite the fact that he has a U-Visa application (as the victim of crime) with USCIS, and that he has relief from removal available to him. Mr. Abraham-Joseph has never his immigration status from the US government.”

The statement goes on to explain why 21 Savage is not a threat to society nor a flight risk considering his prominence as an entertainer and his contributions to the community. It then specifies that ICE has not charged the rapper with any crime.

“As a minor, his family overstayed their work visas, and he, like almost two million other children, was left without legal status through no faults of his own. This is a civil law violation, and the continued detention of Mr. Abraham-Joseph serves no other purpose than to unnecessarily punish him and try to intimidate him into giving up his right to remain in the United States.”