21 Savage‘s lawyers are setting the record straight. Following the recent arrest and detainment of the “Bank Account” rapper, real name She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, his lawyers are now speaking out about what could have put their client on Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s radar.
According to TMZ, Savage’s lawyers speculate if ICE may have sought out revenge on the rapper after he switched up the lyrics to one of his songs during a recent performance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” In the song titled “a lot” Savage rapped, “Been through some things, but I can’t imagine my kids stuck at the border. Flint still need water. People was innocent, couldn’t get lawyers.”
Savage’s lawyers point out the timing of his arrest and his performance which took place in late January. “Many have speculated as to possible ulterior motives for his arrest and detention, including that he released music five days prior to his arrest by ICE, which included new lyrics condemning the behavior of immigration officials for their detention of children at the border,” a portion of the statement reads.
“We are unaware of why ICE apparently targeted Mr. Abraham-Joseph, but we will do everything possible to legally seek his release and pursue his available relief in immigration court,” the statement concludes.
On Sunday (Feb. 3), Savage was detained for reportedly overstaying his visa. While many fans were shocked to learn that the 26-year-old rapper is actually a U.K. native according to his birth certificate, Savage’s lawyers are arguing that “Mr. Abraham-Joseph lost his legal status” in the United States “through no fault of his own.”
“Mr. Abraham-Joseph, like almost two million of his immigrant child peers, was left without immigration status as a young child with no way to fix his immigration status. These ‘Dreamers’ come from all walks of life and every ethnicity,” his lawyers clarify. “Mr. Abraham-Joseph has no criminal convictions or charges under state or federal law and is free to seek relief from removal in immigration court. ICE provided incorrect information to the press when it claimed he had a criminal conviction.”
Read the entire statement from Savage’s legal representation about his immigration status and possible deportation here.