After news broke on Feb. 3rd that Atlanta based rapper 21 Savage was detained for having an expired visa, the internet broke out in shock.

With fans having believed Savage, who’s legal name is She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was born and raised his current home Atlanta, Georgia the reports that he was actually from London, England surprised everyone.

However, beyond the initial shock and memes to come out of Savage’s arrest, now the world is eagerly watching as his legal team fights back against deportation threats.

According to the Washington Post, ICE spokesperson Bryan Cox said the rapper’s arrest was part of a “targeted operation with federal and local law enforcement partners.”

Now, ICE and the US Government are facing backlash as Savage’s fans and lawyers come to his defense.

In a statement released from his legal team, the rapper’s lawyers claim the deportation talk started after his arrest, and that he had applied for a visa two years ago.

Mr. Abraham-Joseph has three U.S. Citizen children, a lawful permanent resident mother and four siblings that are either US Citizens or lawful permanent residents. He has exceptionally strong ties in the United States, having lived here since he was in the first grade. Because of his length of residence in the United States and his immediate relatives, Mr. Abraham-Joseph is eligible to seek Cancellation of Removal from an Immigration Judge.

Mr. Abraham-Joseph was placed into deportation proceedings AFTER his arrest, he was not in deportation proceedings prior to this detention by ICE. DHS has known his address since the filing of a U visa application in 2017. He has never hidden from DHS or any of its agencies. Mr. Abraham-Joseph is not subject to mandatory detention under federal law and is eligible for bond. By statute, bond should be granted by ICE when there is no flight risk or a danger to the community… We are unaware of why ICE apparently targeted Mr. Abraham-Joseph, but we will do everything possible to legally seek his release and pursue his available relief in immigration court.

According to People, the rapper’s team also believes his arrest may have something to do with his latest song “A Lot,” which features lyrics that criticize the U.S. agency.

“Many have speculated as to possible ulterior motives for his arrest and detention, including that he released music five days prior to his arrest by ICE, which included new lyrics condemning the behavior of immigration officials for their detention of children at the border,” a spokesperson said.

In addition to fans and lawyers speaking out, Congressman Hank Johnson from Savage’s home state released a statement asking ICE to release the rapper based on “his time giving back to the community and supporting and promoting the betterment of [Atlanta] youth.”

“Because of his significant ties to the community, and for all of the reasons already noted above, I firmly believe that She’yaa is an appropriate candidate for release on reasonable recognizance bond,” the Congressman wrote. “He has been an outstanding figure and influence within his family and within Atlanta.”

The Black Lives Matter community has also come out in support of Savage’s release with the creation and support of an online petition to help free the rapper.

In the campaign’s description, organizer Patrisse Khan-Cullors wrote:

“The hundreds of ICE assaults and detention of Black immigrants is an endemic in the United States, and is too often carried out with the assistance of local law enforcement. On February 3rd in the early afternoon, organizers were alerted to the arrest and detention of rapper, father, community activist and friend She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph -21 Savage. The circumstances of Mr. Abraham-Joseph’s detention stand as a testament to the consistent and historically under-reported harassment and targeting of Black immigrants. The US’ violent history of criminalizing Blackness intersects with its deadly legacy of detaining and deporting Black and Brown immigrants. This needs to stop today!”

The #Free21Savage hashtag has also gone viral on social media, sparking support from numerous celebrities according to Mic.

Some of these include Cardi B, and DJ Khaled.

While the current status of his deportation unknown, updates are to follow.