Atlanta rapper 21 Savage arrested by US immigration

US immigration officials have said that the popular rapper is actually from the UK.

21 Savage has been arrested by US immigration officers, who say he is actually from the UK.

The rapper, real name Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was previously believed to have been born in Atlanta, Georgia, as he has said himself during many interviews. But it is now being reported that he is in fact from Brixton, London.

Officials say he arrived in America in July 2005 aged 12 stayed in the United States beyond the permitted period of time on his visa.

“Mr. Abraham-Joseph is presently in ICE custody in Georgia and has been placed into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts,” ICE said in a statement.

“ICE will now await the outcome of his case before a federal immigration judge to determine future actions.”

CNN reporter Nick Valencia quoted an ICE spokesman as saying: “His whole public persona is false”.

BREAKING- @ICEgov spokesman tells me @21savage was taken into custody by ICE. “His whole public persona is false. He actually came to the U.S. from the U.K. as a teen and overstayed his visa.” MORE COMING

— Nick Valencia (@CNNValencia) February 3, 2019

The rapper’s lawyer, Dina LaPolt, has issued a statement regarding his arrest: “We are working diligently to get Mr. Abraham-Joseph out of detention while we work with the authorities to clear up any misunderstandings.

“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.”