Harlem rapper fights deportation case
Johanny Puig, AKA “MC Joha,” was picked up from his home Feb. 7 by immigration officials. Puig is an undocumented immigrant who left the Dominican Republic to pursue hip hop in NYC.
For your next hearing date press 1The system does not contain any information regarding a future hearing date on your case.
The system does not contain any information regarding an appeal on your case.And basically, that’s what it is
It’s funny, cause even when he’s in there, he just talks about his music.
TITLE CARD: Johanny Puig is an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic. On February 7, he was detained in his home by immigration officers. He arrived in NYC six years ago to pursue a career in hip hop and performs with the group Los Leones. Los Leones have performed a couple of shows without him.
I felt like, he was missing, cause he’s a big dog.
It’s not the same energy.
TITLE CARD: Esther Vasquez visits her boyfriend each week while they wait for him to be deported or released. Their lawyer tells them there is a chance he could be released since he has no criminal record.
I want him out, right now, that’s the only thing I want.
TITLE CARD: On April 25, Esther gets a call. Johanny will be released that night.
The system took three months of my time, of my life. It thought it took it from me. But it’s given me three months of wisdom. And I’m happy about it.
Thank you.
Johanny Puig had moved to New York City six years ago to pursue a career as a rapper. He had formed the group “Los Leones” with several other rappers and was earning buzz in the underground hip hop community.On Feb. 6, immigration officials entered the home he shares with his girlfriend and her family. They took him to Bergen County Jail to await deportation. Puig was an undocumented immigrant, and though he had green cards from a marriage to an American citizen, as the marriage deteriorated, the forms he needed were never updated.“Los Leones” performed at several concerts raising awareness about his situation as well as helping raise money for lawyers fees. His girlfriend Esther Vasquez visited him every Friday until April 25, when they got word he would be released since he didn’t have a criminal record.
The Obama Administration has announced that its priority in deportations is immigrants with serious criminal pasts. Reports show that two in five immigrants deported in 2013 had no criminal record.
Gemma Solimene, an immigration policy at Fordham University, said immigrants who are detained can seek prosecutorial discretion. It means the Department of Homeland Security has leeway and can decide how and when to enforce immigration laws.
“All you really have is the government saying, ‘OK, we’ll leave you alone — for now,’” Solimene said.
