21 Savage was reportedly arrested Sunday morning in Atlanta by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to ICE spokesperson Bryan Cox. The agency suddenly claims that he’s in the country illegally.
The Grammy-nominated rapper, whose real name is Shayaabin Abraham-Joseph, is a UK citizen Cox alleges. 21 entered the country in 2005 as a minor and overstayed his temporary visa which expired the following year.
“Mr. Abraham-Joseph is presently in ICE custody in Georgia and has been placed into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts,” ICE said in a statement. “ICE will now await the outcome of his case before a federal immigration judge to determine future actions.”
But 21 Savage’s lawyers aren’t going down without a fight.
“We are working diligently to get Mr. Abraham-Joseph out of detention while we work with the authorities to clear up any misunderstandings,” Dina LaPolt said in a statement to CNN. “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.”
