Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized for tweeting support for rapper 21 Savage in ICE deportation battle
21 Savage — the rapper who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Sunday and could reportedly be deported back to the U.K. — has a new supporter in his corner: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Hours after announcing that she’ll be bringing Ana Maria Archila, the woman who famously confronted then-Sen. Jeff Flake in an elevator during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings last fall, to Tuesday’s State of the Union, the freshman congresswoman tweeted out lyrics in a gesture of support for the British-born performer. The rapper’s arrest for overstaying his visa has outraged his fans — including Cardi B, who clashed with conservative commentator Tomi Lahren over the ordeal — and prompted calls to “eliminate” ICE.
Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal critic of ICE, cited 21 Savage’s own lyrics, which reference being “stuck at the border” and needing a lawyer.
“The gas was off, so we had to boil up the water/
Been through some things so I can't imagine my kids stuck at the border/
Flint still need water/
People was innocent, couldn't get lawyers."– 21 Savage on last Tuesday’s Tonight Showhttps://t.co/i28v0M5Kyn
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 5, 2019
Her tweet already has more than 25,000 likes — but many commenters are slamming her for defending someone they say should rightfully be punished for overstaying his visa.
So he writes songs. The law is the law chica
— Joy Villa (@Joy_Villa) February 5, 2019
Oh ffs if any person in any other country overstays their visa they will be sent back, quit trying to blame the president and gop for a problem these people created themselves. You’re disgusting!
— aj (@Ariellejensen7) February 5, 2019
Look I hate trump but we do need to enforce *some* immigration laws. 21 savage isn’t some poor family fleeing violence from Central America. He’s a wealthy rapper with the ability to easily become a citizen legally
— Jordan Klein (@jordanhklein) February 5, 2019
So glad our elected federal officials are supporting an illegal alien and felon! Great job! You’re so cool!! 😊😊
— Welp (@The_Hugo_Black) February 5, 2019
But the reaction wasn’t all negative. One commenter dubbed Ocasio-Cortez the “Notorious A.O.C.” while another thanked her for “shining the light” on the immigration debate. And then there’s this remark:
He should get the same visa as Melania
— amberlhls (@amberlhls1) February 5, 2019
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff pushes back on claims that her tweets are ‘Trumpian’
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez swears by ‘double cleansing’: Here’s what it is and why you should try it
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fires back at Howard Schultz for slamming her tax plan
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