21 Savage remains in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The rapper, born Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was arrested by ICE in Atlanta on Sunday as part of a target operation claiming he’s overstayed a temporary visa after migrating to America with family members from the U.K. in 2005. Nearly 24 hours later, 21’s legal representation has released a more in-depth statement on Monday (Feb. 4) in response to the freedom of his client.
Charles H. Kluck explains that the arrest is “based upon incorrect information about prior criminal charges and [ICE is] now refusing to release him on bond of any amount, despite the fact that he has a pending U-Visa application (as the victim of crime) with USCIS, and that he has relief from removal available to him,” the lawyer writes.
He goes on to confirm that the U.S. government has been well aware of Savage’s immigration status. “Mr. Abraham-Joseph has never hid his immigration status from the US government,” Kluck writes. “The Department of Homeland Security has known his address and his history since his filing for the U-Visa in 2017, yet they took no action against him until this past weekend.”
Kluck says his client isn’t currently being charged with any crimes. “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 fight to remain in the United States,” he says.
He concludes: “Mr. Abraham-Joseph has US 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. No one would expect less from him.”
Billboard has reached out to ICE for comment.
Story Via: Billboard