21 Savage was taken into ICE custody on Sunday under allegations that he’s in the United States unlawfully. ICE claims that the rapper came into the country in 2005 and his temporary visa expired in 2006.
Reports say the agency was aware of his immigration status because he applied for citizenship in 2017. 21’s lawyer has since accused ICE of working to “intimidate” the artist into “giving up his right to fight to remain in the United States.”
Savage’s co-manager provided an update after he “just got off the phone with him.” He tweeted, “He is in lockdown for 23hrs of the day no TV or any communication besides our 10 min phone calls… Everything I’ve told him that has been happening made him happy & makes this time fly by thank y’all for the support.”
His co-managers have both reiterated that they’ve known 21 Savage since the third grade, so that negates when ICE claims he came to the United States from the U.K.
His lawyer Charles H. Kuck has called ICE’s treatment of him “a civil law violation.” He continued, “Mr. Abraham-Joseph has U.S. citizen children that he supports and is eligible for relief from deportation. We and he will fight for his release, for his family, and his right to remain in our country.”
The “A lot” rapper’s deportation status is unknown. “As a top entertainer, and an internationally recognized talent, 21 Savage would be eligible to apply for permanent residence in the United States, also known as a green card,” attorney Deron Smallcomb explained to Complex.
