21 Savage Arrested by ICE Officials Over Immigration Issue
By TheBlast Staff on February 3, 2019 at 9:12 PM EST
Updated on September 20, 2023 at 11:41 AM EDT
21 Savage was arrested early Sunday morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over an issue with his immigration status but we're told the rapper believes it's a "misunderstanding."
The rapper — whose real name is Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph — was arrested in Atlanta, according to a statement by ICE spokesman. The statement referred to Savage as an "unlawfully present United Kingdom national."
He was picked up "during a targeted operation with federal and local law enforcement partners."
A source close to 21 Savage tells The Blast his lawyers are working to clear up the issue, calling it a "misunderstanding." Our sources say his legal team has been trying to clear this up for months and the issue has to do with the validity of his paperwork when he entered the country.
We're told the rapper got on the radar of authorities following his 2014 conviction on felony drug charges.
21 Savage's lawyer tells The Blast, "We are working diligently to get Mr. Abraham-Joseph out of detention while we work with authorities to clear up any misunderstanding. Mr. Abraham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in the country — especially in Atlanta, Georgia — and is actively working in the community leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy."
WSBTV reports an email from an ICE spokesman that further explained, "Mr. Abraham-Joseph was taken into ICE custody as he is unlawfully present in the U.S. and also a convicted felon. Mr. Abraham-Joseph initially entered the U.S. legally in July 2005, but subsequently failed to depart under the terms of his nonimmigrant visa."
21 Savage dated Amber Rose for several months in 2017 and into 2018 before the couple called it quits last March.
Just a few days ago, he performed his hit song "A Lot" on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
!youtube-embed(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opKizJadkzA)
This is a developing story ...
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