Rapper 21 Savage arrested, accused of being in the United States illegally
- The artist, who came from the United Kingdom in 2005, overstayed his visa, says US immigration
Grammy-nominated Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage was arrested on Sunday by United States immigration officials, who said he was illegally in the country and a convicted felon.
The rapper, whose real name is Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, came to the US from the United Kingdom in 2005, overstaying his visa to settle in Atlanta, said Bryan Cox, a spokesman for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Cox said Abraham-Joseph, whose 21 Savage Facebook page lists several coming concerts, was in custody in Georgia and faced deportation proceedings in federal immigration courts.
He said Abraham-Joseph was convicted on felony drug charges in Georgia in 2014, and was arrested on Sunday as part of a targeted operation with the cooperation of local law enforcement.
“Our staff are in contact with the lawyer of a British man following his detention in the USA,” Britain’s Foreign Office said in statement. British officials only get involved in such cases if the person involved is a British passport holder.
