On Behalf of Palacios Law Group
Music fans in New York are probably familiar with rapper 21 Savage for his popular music. However, recent headlines featuring the rapper have addressed a very different topic — immigration. The musician was recently taken into custody by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials, who claimed he did not have the correct legal documents to be in the country. The rapper recently posted bond.
Born in the United Kingdom, 21 Savage — real name She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph — was brought to the United States when he was only 7 years old. Although he and his family originally traveled here legally, the rapper’s H-4 visa expired only a short while later. Like millions of other children, he was left without any type of immigration status through no fault of his own. He has since filed for a U Visa, which is available to victims of certain crimes. His application is still pending.
The reasons behind his arrest are not entirely clear, although ICE officials said it was a part of a larger operation in another state. The rapper was then put into removal proceedings, perhaps in part due to what ICE claims was a prior conviction. He argued that the conviction was expunged and sealed in 2018, so this was not a valid reason for his arrest and detainment. The rapper’s mother is also currently a lawful permanent resident, and he has children who were born in this country who he provides for.
Living as an undocumented immigrant can be an overwhelming and confusing experience. While this does not mean that these individuals have no options at their disposal, figuring out those options is often difficult. Consulting with an attorney who is experienced in New York immigration law may be helpful to those who struggling with this issue.