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Free 21.
TMZ reports that 21 Savage has been released on bond ahead of a deportation hearing. His lawyers, Charles H. Kuck, Dina LaPolt and Alex Spiro released the following statement to the outlet:
“21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters — 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.”
The statement concludes, “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.”
21 was arrested by ICE on Super Bowl Sunday as he worked to obtain a U-Visa. At the time of his arrest, it was reported that he had legally entered the states in 2005 but that his visa expired in 2006. Since then, multiple celebrities have rallied behind 21, including Jay-Z, who announced he was working with Roc Nation to supply legal help last week.
Kendrick Lamar, SZA, J. Cole, and others also came together in a social media campaign called “21 Ways You Could Be Detained If You’re Undocumented in America” in support of the rapper. Miguel appeared on an episode of TMZ Live, where he stated that 21’s arrest has shed a light on ICE issues.
While TMZ notes the reason for 21 being held so long is unclear since “he was neither a flight risk nor a danger to his community, which is the standard for holding someone in jail pending a deportation hearing,” he was reportedly granted an expedited hearing.
This story is developing. Read more here.
