After a week of detainment, rapper 21 Savage has been released on bond by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). He was arrested by the agency on February 3rd, 2019, with ICE stating he was a citizen of the United Kingdom who had “unlawfully” overstayed his visa. Savage, born Sha’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, confirmed that he was born in the United Kingdom. 21 Savage came to the United States at age 7 on an H-4 visa, and stated that he lost his H-4 visa status in 2006, “through no fault of his own.” He previously applied for a U-visa in 2017 following a deadly shooting in 2013 that killed his best friend and left him shot six times.
21 Savage’s lawyers issued a statement regarding their client’s release:
For the past 9 long days, we, on behalf of She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known to the world as 21 Savage, have been speaking with ICE to both clarify his actual legal standing, his eligibility for bond, and provide evidence of his extraordinary contributions to his community and society.
In the last 24 hours, in the wake of the Grammy Awards at which he was scheduled to attend and perform, we received notice that She’yaa was granted an expedited hearing.
Today, 21 Savage was granted a release on bond. He won his freedom.
21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters—he says that while he wasn’t present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit and is grateful for the support from around the world and is more than ever, ready to be with his loved ones and continue making music that brings people together.
He will not forget this ordeal or any of the other fathers, sons, family members, and faceless people, he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country. And he asks for your hearts and minds to be with them.
Charles Kuck Dina Laporte and Alex Spiro.
During his detainment by ICE, it was reported that 21 Savage remained in solitary confinement for 23 hours of the day. ICE had previously stated that their arrest was part of a “targeted operation.”
This is a developing story.
Listen to our coverage of 21 Savage’s arrest on our most recent episode of the Saint Audio Podcast.
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