21 Savage To Perform In London For The First Time After Finally Receiving His Green Card
21 Savage Performs onstage during Wicked (Spelhouse Homecoming Concert) Featuring 21 Savage at Forbes Arena at Morehouse College on October 19, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo Credit: Prince Williams/Wireimage
By: Joshua Martin
After a well-publicized battle with immigration, 21 Savage is making headlines again as he plans to return to his native land London for an international tour. This exciting news follows the announcement from his immigration attorney that 21 Savage has officially become a U.S. citizen.
“She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph followed all applicable Immigration laws since his initial detention by ICE. His immigration court proceedings have now been terminated and he is a lawful permanent resident of the United States with the freedom to travel internationally.”
Born as Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph in the United Kingdom, the 30-year-old rapper legally immigrated to the United States at a young age. However, his journey took an unexpected turn in 2019 when he was arrested and detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Atlanta during what was described as a "targeted operation with federal and local law enforcement partners." The root of the 2019 incident can be traced back to a 2005 visa that had expired after just one year.
“The worst thing was sitting in there not knowing what was going to happen, or when it was going to happen. Whenever I went to jail before, it was, ‘You’re being charged with this and going to court on this date.’ But immigration ain’t like that. You’re just being held.”
The aftermath of his arrest plunged 21 Savage into a long public legal battle to remain in the United States and avoid deportation. As of April, his immigration status remained in limbo due to pending criminal charges in Georgia.
Fast forward to October, and the status of 21 Savage's citizenship woes appears to have been revealed in Drake's track 8 AM in Charlotte, where the Toronto-born rapper raps, "Savage got a green card straight out of the consulate/Where I go, you go, brother, we Yugoslavian." Notably, the two artists are currently wrapping up their It's All A Blur North American Tour. This tour had a surprising twist this past August when 21 Savage couldn't enter Canada due to his ongoing immigration issues. Headlining artists Travis Scott and J. Cole stepped in as surprise guests at the Vancouver and Montreal concerts, respectively.
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 9: Drake and 21 Savage perform onstage during "Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert" at State Farm Arena on December 9, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo Credit: Prince Williams/Wireimage
21 Savage himself took to Instagram to share his excitement about his upcoming return to London. He posted a video entitled "London I'm Coming Home," which features footage of his childhood memories in London set to Skylar Grey's Coming Home. This moment is pivotal for the superstar rapper as he prepares to perform in London for the first time in his career.
In reflecting on his immigration journey, 21 Savage has noted that the visa application process can be discouraging for many immigrants who lack proper documentation, as it can "hang over your head forever."
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, obtaining a visa is a lengthy and challenging process for individuals initially immigrating to the United States. It involves multiple steps before a visa or green card is issued. In the case of the British rapper, he was eligible for an adjustment of status, a process that allows individuals to apply for lawful permanent resident status (also known as applying for a green card) while they are present in the United States, without having to return to their home country to complete visa processing.
21 Savage's journey from his early immigration challenges to his current status as a U.S. citizen and his plans to return to London for an international tour is a remarkable story of perseverance and achievement. It sheds light on the complexities of the immigration system and the impact it can have on individuals' lives and careers. As fans eagerly await his London performance, the rapper's journey continues to captivate and inspire.
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