The arrest of rapper 21 Savage by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sparked widespread confusion, not only regarding his legal status but also his age. Initial reports following his arrest on Sunday night raised questions about his origins and how long he had been in the United States. Amidst the legal complexities, a key piece of information emerged, clarifying a previously misrepresented detail: 21 Savage’s age and the circumstances surrounding his arrival in the U.S.
According to a statement released by his legal team, led by immigration lawyer Charles H. Kuck, much of the initial information disseminated by ICE contributed to this confusion. One significant correction addressed the rapper’s age upon entering the United States. While earlier reports, echoing ICE’s claims, stated that 21 Savage arrived in the U.S. at the age of 14, his legal team clarified that he was actually only 7 years old at the time. This detail is crucial in understanding his background and legal situation.
Born She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph in the United Kingdom, 21 Savage, as confirmed by his lawyers, has spent the vast majority of his life in the United States. The legal statement emphasizes that he has been “continuously physically present in the United States for almost 20 years, except for a brief visit abroad.” This long-term residency began when he was just a young child, brought to the U.S. at the age of 7.
The timeline provided by his legal team further clarifies the details of his early life in America. 21 Savage legally entered the United States at the age of 7. He resided in the country until 2005, when at the age of around 12 or 13, he briefly traveled to the United Kingdom for approximately a month. Upon his return on July 22, 2005, he did so under a valid H-4 visa. However, the statement highlights a critical turning point: in 2006, through no fault of his own, 21 Savage lost his legal status. This occurred when he was still a minor, approximately 13 or 14 years old, leaving him in a precarious legal situation as he grew into adulthood.
This revelation about 21 Savage’s age when he first came to the US is not just a minor correction; it’s central to understanding his experience as an immigrant. Arriving at the age of 7 and losing legal status as a child places him among the ranks of “Dreamers,” young people brought to the United States at a young age who have grown up in the country, often with limited or no memory of their birth country. His lawyers point out that like nearly two million immigrant children, 21 Savage was left without legal status as a young child, with no means to rectify his immigration situation.
Furthermore, the legal team underscores that 21 Savage has no criminal convictions, directly contradicting earlier claims made by ICE. They also highlight his deep ties to the United States, including having three US citizen children, a lawful permanent resident mother, and four siblings who are either US citizens or lawful permanent residents. Having lived in the U.S. since first grade, his life is deeply rooted in American society.
In conclusion, while the question “How Old Is 21 Savage?” might seem straightforward, the context surrounding his age is deeply intertwined with his immigration story. Born in the UK but raised in the US since the age of 7, 21 Savage’s identity and life have been shaped by his experiences in America. The recent clarifications from his legal team are essential in understanding the complexities of his situation and correcting earlier misinformation regarding his age and background upon entering the United States. His story highlights the often-overlooked experiences of those who are brought to the U.S. as young children and face complex legal challenges as they grow up.
