Shayaabin Abraham-Joseph, also known by his stage name, 21 Savage, was taken into custody on Sunday by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On the day of his arrest, 21 Savage was in the car along with fellow musician, Young Nudy, when they were pulled over by police; the arrests of both men were targeted. According to ICE, 21 Savage, who is a citizen of the United Kingdom, entered the United States legally as a minor in July 2005 but failed to leave the country when his Visa expired in July 2006. 

ICE is currently planning on deporting 21 Savage back to the United Kingdom, however his lawyers are trying to prevent that. “We are working diligently to get Mr. Abraham-Joseph out of detention while we work with the authorities to clear up any misunderstandings” Dina LaPolt, 21 Savage’s lawyer, told CNN. If 21 Savage is deported, he will be banned from entering the country for 10 years. 

21 Savage was convicted on felony drug charges in 2014, however ICE was not aware of his immigration status at the time and the Fulton County Jail records show Atlanta as his place of birth. 21’s lawyer said he had not tried to hide his immigration status from authorities, and even applied for a US U-Visa in 2017.

Many fans were shocked when they found out that 21 Savage is a citizen of the United Kingdom because the rapper often spoke about growing up in Atlanta, Georgia. 21 has previously donated to financial literacy programs for underprivileged youth and is described by fans as an icon and role model for younger people.