Earlier this month on February 3rd, 21 Savage (Abraham-Joseph ) was arrested by the ICE in Atlanta claiming he was from the United Kingdom. The ICE state that Abraham-Joseph entered the U.S legally back in 2005, but never left the country after his non-immigrant visa expired.
Known for his street hard lyrics representing Zone 6, 21 Savage has always represented Atlanta. So it comes to a big surprise to many of his fans to hear that he was born the in the U.K. But while 21 was incarcerated, his mother came out revealed his birth certificate confirming his nationality.
An attorney for Abraham-Joseph said his representatives were working to secure his release. "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 said in a statement to CNN. "Mr. Abraham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in this country, especially in Atlanta, Georgia, and is actively working in the community leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy."
With a strong legal team behind his back thanks to Jay Z after 9 days, 21 Savage was finally released on bond pending a deportation hearing. Jonathan Jayes-Green, the director of UndocuBlack, which advocates for undocumented people said there was, “a stark difference” between the support 21 Savage has received compared to other detainees. Along with Black Lives Matter and the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, UndocuBlack created a petition for 21 Savage’s freedom that garnered half a million signatures online and was later hand-delivered to the Atlanta Ice office.
“Most of our folks do not have a fan base,” said Jayes-Green. “There is some privilege in that regard. At the same time, detention is still detention and still hurts as a human being.”
“[His] case is no different than … long-term residents of the US who have overstayed their visa, who have children and other relatives who are US citizens,” said Kuck. There are about "4.2 million black immigrants in the US and 619,000 are undocumented," according to Pew Research Center.
Questions:1. If you are born in a different country than you grew up in your whole life, should you be deported because that is the law or should sympathy be seen for those who have become accustomed to the country?
2. Should the ICE be convicting him in the manner of going out to arrest him? Or should they have caused less drama by secretly dealing with the issue?
3. How do you feel about 21 Savage and him representing Atlanta while truly not being born from there? Does it truly matter in the end?
I think that this is a tragic story that illustrates the shortcomings of the way we deal with immigrants in our country. For all intents and purposes, 21 Savage is an American. He was living here fully integrated in society and no one could even tell that he was not born here. Whether or not you are born in the United States should not determine whether you can live here but anyone should be welcome to come to the United States. We are fundamentally a country of immigrants and our immigration system should reflect that, but it does not right now. If 21 Savage is integrated in society and benefiting it, there is no reason why he should be forced to leave the United States.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Stefan that the US government's hostility towards immigrants (especially people of color) is appalling. I do not think ICE should be convicting 21 Savage in the way that they are currently handling the situation; he entered the US legally, and while he did overstay his visa, I believe that he deserves a chance to stay. As someone who has tried to better his own community (he donated thousands to an anti-bullying campaign in Atlanta), he is clearly integrated in society and should not be so quickly vilified by ICE over some criminal charges (although these should not be brushed off, I do not think they are enough of a reason to call for deportation). In response to your third question, I think that his work for the community in Atlanta is bigger than the country he was born in, and is choice to represent Atlanta is justified.
ReplyDeleteI think that if someone is born in a different country and overstayed their visa in the US, no matter who they are, then ICE should have full power to deport them. That does not mean I am against immigrants, for I am an immigrant myself, but I think our country should continue emphasizing the documentation of immigrants. It does not matter if the person has become accustomed to the country or if they are a celebrity. If someone is undocumented, they should be dealt with to keep the USA safe. Even though this country was built on immigrants, we want to continue encouraging immigrants but those who are documented. I don't think ICE should have made such a big deal and went as far as to arrest 21. They could've handled it better by secretly dealing with the issue. In addition, I think it's totally fine that 21 Savage is representing Atlanta even though he isn't truly from there because he has made many positive contributions to the Atlanta community and if he feels he is tied to that city, then good for him.
ReplyDeleteI believe the treatment of 21 Savage by ICE is unacceptable and should not be happening in 2019. He had been in the US ever since a young child, and made himself a career with little to begin with. 21 Savage also has positively impacted the community in many different ways, through donations and charity events. If he has been able to be successful in the US for as long as he has been, there is no reason for him to be deported from the country. It would be understandable if there was a warrant for his arrest, and he also wasn't a legal citizen so they deport him. However, this situation is copetelty different and 21 Savage should not have had any trouble with ICE to begin with.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nicole that because he was here on a visa, ICE should have the power to deport him. I think there should be some sympathy for him because of his major success and the life he made in America. However, I think overall America has been way to strict with immigration because like Stefan said, we are a country based on and founded by immigrants. While I think he should have sympathy for the career he built in America, what would the situation be like if it wasn't a famous artist? If it was a shop owner that made and grew their business into something big, I am not sure this would get as much attention and as much sympathy for them.
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