Rapper 21 Savage facing immigration woes

Those in Louisiana who were not already familiar with rapper 21 Savage for his music now probably know him for his ongoing legal issues. He is currently in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and faces potential removal from the country and a 10-year ban on re-entry. However, the rapper insists that he is being unnecessarily punished and has not done anything to warrant his current treatment.

As a U.K. national, 21 Savage — real name She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph — originally came to the U.S. when he was only a child. Although his family arrived legally in 2005, their visas expired the next year. This is not an uncommon situation, and 21 Savage is one of nearly two million others who were brought to the U.S. legally as children, but are now living without legal status.

In 2017, 21 Savage applied for a U visa. This visa is available for victims of certain crimes, and his application is currently pending. If approved, it could help him stay in the country. His lawyer also asserts that the rapper supports his children, who were all born in the U.S., which could also mean that he is still eligible to stay.

The rapper does not currently qualify for relief under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, but he says that he has never tried to hide his status. It is unclear why ICE chose to act now, but this might heighten concerns felt by many Louisiana immigrants. These individuals often feel as if they are facing an inconsistent immigration system, which can be emotionally taxing. An attorney who is well versed in Louisiana immigration might be able to put some of those concerns at ease.