On Sunday, in a shocking series of events, rapper 21 Savage (born She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph) was arrested by ICE over his longstanding illegal stay in the United States.
While the news of the rapper’s detention came as a shock to fans – most of whom believed he was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia – 21 never hid his illegal status, according to the rapper’s lawyer.
In a statement obtained by The Blast, attorney Charles H. Kuck fired back at the federal agency over their arrest and subsequent intimidation tactics to get his client to leave the country.
“As a minor, his family overstayed their work visas, and he, like almost two million other children, was left without legal status through no fault of his own,” Kuck said of 21’s status, adding that his mother moved him to Atlanta at age 12.
Two years later, the rapper’s visa expired. But, despite his legal status, 21 went on to become a multi-millionaire rapper out of Atlanta.
However, after a 2014 drug conviction – which was later expunged, the rapper popped up on the federal agency’s radar, which ultimately led to this weekend’s arrest.
But, according to Kuck, his client was arrested ”based upon incorrect information,” as he highlighted the fact that the rapper has no prior criminal charges – since his conviction was expunged. In addition to that, he says 21 applied for a U-Visa back in 2017, which is currently pending and known to the agency, but they refused to take action until this weekend’s arrest. If that wasn’t enough to convince officials that 21 should be released, Kuck also highlighted the fact that the rapper has three children that he provides for.
“Mr. Abraham-Joseph has US citizen children that he supports and is eligible for relief from deportation,” Kuck said. “We and he will fight for his release, for his family, and his right to remain in our country. No one would expect less from him.”
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