21 Savage, who was incarcerated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this month because of a visa violation, was released on bond on Tuesday, according to his legal team.
Savage’s attorneys Charles H. Kuck, Dina LaPolt and Alex Spiro released a statement on the rapper’s behalf to Facebook.
“For the past 9 long days, we, on behalf of She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known to the world as 21 Savage, have been speaking with ICE to both clarify his actual legal standing, his eligibility for bond, and provide evidence of his extraordinary contributions to his community and society.”
The Atlanta resident missed his scheduled performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night. He was arrested by ICE during Super Bowl LIII weekend on the grounds that he was born in the United Kingdom and was living in the United States on an expired visa.
“In the last 24 hours, in the wake of the Grammy Awards at which he was scheduled to attend and perform, we received notice that She’yaa was granted an expedited hearing. Today, 21 Savage was granted a release on bond. He won his freedom,” the statement also said.
Following his detainment, fans and several prominent artists including Cardi B, J. Cole and JAY-Z spoke out about the immigration controversy.
“21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters,” his legal team said. “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.”
A pending deportation hearing is scheduled for the rapper. Savage asked that his supporters also keep in mind “other fathers, sons, family members, and faceless people he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country.”
