21 Savage’s Arrest By ICE Should Concern Undocumented Immigrants

The world is in utter shock to hear that Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, most famously known by his rap sobriquet 21 Savage, has been arrested by ICE for overstaying his VISA.

Now, in this Trump era we know that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ain’t with the shits!

In case you didn’t know, Grammy-nominated 21 Savage’s mother is from the island of Dominica. It is reported that he is a U.K. citizen, however, it is uncertain if he was born in the U.K. or Dominica. For years, however, his fans believe he was born and grown in Atlanta.

According to The Associated Press, Abraham-Joseph entered the U.S. legally in July 2005, but has been present in the country illegally since his visa expired in July 2006, said ICE spokesman Bryan Cox. He was convicted on felony drug charges in October 2014 in Fulton County. In the emailed statement Cox continued, He was arrested in a targeted operation in the Atlanta area involving local and federal law enforcement officers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Abraham-Joseph is a British citizen who overstayed his visa and also has a felony conviction.

So in short, the 26 year old rapper who apparently came to the U.S. when he was 13, overstayed his visa, got in some trouble with the law and has now been placed in deportation proceedings in federal immigration court.

Like many immigrants, Abraham-Joseph was brought here by his parent, and that parent did him a great injustice by not ensuring that he adjusted his status. Maybe he could have stayed under the radar if he wasn’t famous, but moreso, if he wasn’t convicted of a felony.

21 Savage’s story is a cautionary tale, not only for undocumented parents who bring their children to the U.S. but those who do nothing to become naturalized citizens. He may or may not be deported depending on his family and immigration history, and if he has a great lawyer.

I have questions – did his mother become a U.S. citizen before he turned 18? Are any of his parents U.S. citizens? Was there ever any USCIS filings or petitions in the past, on his behalf? Has he ever file for an O-visa? Is he secretly married to a U.S. citizen and we don’t know? Hey! We didn’t even know he was British! I have so many questions.

Do you remember what happened to East Flatbush rapper Jamal “Shyne” Barrow? While Diddy was exonerated for the 1999 New York shooting, Shyne was convicted and served 10 years, then deported to Belize.

Listen…. Are you documented? Then I implore you to meet with a reputable Immigration attorney and map out a plan to adjust your status – especially if you have undocumented children living with you. In addition, just stay out of trouble nah!

“We are working diligently to get Mr. Abraham-Joseph out of detention while we work with the authorities to clear up any misunderstandings,” said 21 Savage’s lawyer, Dina LaPolt.

Despite his run in with the law, Abraham-Joseph has a philanthropic side. In March 2018, he started the 21 Savage Bank Account Campaign and donated $21,000 towards the initiative geared towards opening bank accounts for children and teaching them financial education. In July 2018, he donated $10,000 to Atlanta’s Continental Colony Elementary School to fund an anti-bullying campaign and every August for the last three years he’s hosted his annual “Issa Back to School Drive” in his hometown of Atlanta. The drive gave free haircuts, hairstyles, supplies, and school uniforms.

One thing we can certainly learn and appreciate from his story is that you don’t have to be a documented American to pursue your goals, leave a positive mark in this world and make your dreams come true! USE YOUR GIFTS AND TALENTS. They will always make a way for you!

UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE!

21 Savage is nominated for two awards at next week’s Grammys; Best Rap/Sung Performance and Record of the Year for “Rockstar” alongside Post Malone. His second solo album “I Am I Was” released in December, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

We won’t be hearing the end of this. I want to believe he won’t be deported but in today’s political climate, nothing is certain anymore. Prayers up!