United States Representative Hank Johnson reportedly penned a character letter on 21 Savage’s behalf in the wake of his recent arrest by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The letter details how 21 has been an asset to the city of Atlanta through charity and humanitarian work.
In the letter, Georgia’s 4th Congressional District rep argued that although 21 – whose real name is Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph – was not born in the U.S., he and his family have made a life in Georgia for much of his life. “She’yaa was born outside of the United States and moved here at a very young age with his parents, sister and brother,” Johnson wrote. “He was raised and spent his formative years in and around Atlanta, and he has developed deep family roots and personal ties to our wonderful state of Georgia, and to Gwinnett and DeKalb counties in particular. She’yaa’s immediate family members residing there include his mother, three sisters, two brothers and three children. She’yaa is the primary breadwinner for most of his siblings, and for his children.”
He went on to explain how 21 has set an example for the youth of Atlanta through his various back to school drives and financial literacy programs. “I know [21] to be a remarkable young man. He spends his time giving back to our community and has been living a life of paying it forward,” he added. “I believe that it would be a serious hardship to [21’s] family and a loss for our community, if he is not allowed bail so that he can be released from detention. … He has been an outstanding figure and influence within his family and within Atlanta.”
As previously reported, 21 was arrested by ICE in Atlanta on Sunday (Feb. 3). He is reportedly still in custody. The agency claims the rapper entered the country from the United Kingdom legally but failed to renew his immigration visa. ICE also cited his 2014 drug charges, although those were expunged from his record. 21’s lawyer, Charles H. Kuck, said they will continue to “fight for his release, for his family, and his right to remain in our country.”
Read Congressman Johnson’s full character letter below.
Here’s the letter Rep. Johnson wrote to ICE on behalf of @21Savage: pic.twitter.com/sOVeebfWMi
— Jewel Wicker (@jewelwickershow) February 5, 2019