Sunday night (Feb. 4), 21 Savage was arrested by ICE in Atlanta. They claimed he's been "unlawfully present" in the United States and that he's actually a "United Kingdom national." 21 is currently being held by ICE for deportation proceedings. TMZ reports the rapper's lawyer Charles H. Kuck has released a statement saying ICE is attempting to "unnecessarily punish [21] and [trying] to intimidate him into giving up his right to fight to remain in the United States."
Kuck is very critical of ICE in his statement, adding that 21 Savage poses no threat to his community. "As a minor, his family overstayed their work visas, and he, like almost 2 million other children, was left without legal status through no fault of his own," he explained. The attorney also said the claim that 21 is a convicted felon is not true, adding that his conviction was actually expunged in September 2018.
In addition to this, Kuck said 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." 21 Savage could be eligible to remain in the United States, as he applied for a U-Visa in 2017. The status of the visa is still pending, as Kuck notes.
The visa he applied for is due to him being a victim of a crime in 2013, where he was shot and his closest friend was murdered. Kuck has said that the incident left 21 "severely affected physically and mentally." Since he was a victim of crime while present in the States, it could give 21 the possibility of permanent residence. "Mr. Abraham-Joseph has never hid his immigration status from the US government," Kuck said. "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."
21 Savage has yet to be charged with any crimes, Kuck noted. "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," the lawyer explained. "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. No one would expect less from him."
