ICE arrested and detained 21 Savage this weekend, citing an expired visa. The rapper's lawyer has since issued a statement addressed his legal situation. According to the document, ICE officials have refused to release the entertainer on a bond. It also reveals that a U Visa application their client has been pending since 2017, which points to the government's knowledge of his immigration status.
"Based upon incorrect information about prior criminal charges and now refusing to release him on a bond of any amount, despite the fact that he has a U-Visa application (as the victim of crime) with USCIS, and that he has relief from removal available to him. Mr. Abraham-Joseph has never his immigration status from the US government."
The statement goes on to explain why 21 Savage is not a threat to society nor a flight risk considering his prominence as an entertainer and his contributions to the community. It then specifies that ICE has not charged the rapper with any crime.
"As a minor, his family overstayed their work visas, and he, like almost two million other children, was left without legal status through no faults of his own. 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 remain in the United States."