21 Savage released on bond after nine days in ICE custody
Rapper 21 Savage was released from ICE custody on bond Tuesday after the U.K. native was arrested by federal immigration authorities on suspicion of overstaying a visa that expired in 2006.
Savage, born She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, has been granted an expedited hearing after spending the previous nine days in custody, his lawyers said in a statement.
The rapper had been scheduled to attend and perform at Sunday’s Grammy Awards ceremony, and on Tuesday he issued the following statement via his team of lawyers Charles H. Kuck, Dina LaPolt and Alex Spiro.
“He says that while he wasn’t present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit and is grateful for the support from around the world and is more than ever ready to be with his loved ones and continue making music that brings people together.
“He will not forget this ordeal or any of the other fathers, sons, family members and faceless people he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country. And he asks for your hearts and minds to be with them.”
Following his arrest on Feb. 3, peers in the music industry and other celebrities have spoken out against the action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and in support of Savage’s release. A #Free21Savage rally was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta, though it was unclear whether that event would still take place in light of his release.
As the Grammy Awards are underway in Los Angeles, 21 Savage is still being held in an immigration detention center. Kacey Musgraves, Ashanti, CeeLo Green, Margo Price and more speak out to support him.
Twitter: @sonaiyak
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