Dancehall artist Squash has been arrested by Florida Border Patrol agents for immigration violations.
According to reports released on Monday afternoon, Squash, real name Andre Whittaker, remains in custody for immigration violations. Squash moved to Florida in 2021, but it appears he does not legally reside in the Republican state.
Sources told Urban Islandz on Monday, May 22, 2023, that the artist is being held at Krome Detention Center in Miami for issues related to overstaying his work visa. His arrest comes amid concerns raised by the NAACP and other civil society groups over a new immigration law passed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that targets illegal immigration.
The law goes into effect in June, but the National Guard and other authorities have deployed in force to target public transport and public places and other environments such as workplaces where people are working illegally. The law also targets family members and friends and brings into force a series of new offenses for those caught with illegal persons.
As for Squash, it’s unclear what the outcome will be for him, but the entertainer was recently named a suspect in a Lauderhill shooting.
The artist had denied being involved in the incident, saying he was instead working and focusing solely on music.
He left Jamaica at the end of 2021 after things heated up in Montego Bay and rumors surfaced that he was an alleged violent producer and was associated with gangs and house scams. lottery.
In an interview with OnStage in 2022, the artist said he had to leave Jamaica because of “corruption” and harassment from the “system”.
In the meantime, Squash is mourning the death of a member of its crew, Mad Daag6, who was shot and killed at Mount Zion in St. James earlier this month. Reacting to his friend’s death, the 6ixx frontman said Mad Daag was the first person who believed in him as an artist and helped him further his career.
Squash has also released new music, including his song “Style” featuring Codelank which was released over the weekend. This month, he also released “Tequila” and “Live Loud.”