Yasiin Bey, formerly known Mos Def, barred from entering U.S. for tour: report

[alp227]

Source: NY Daily News

You really can't go home again. Yasiin Bey, the artist formerly known Mos Def, has canceled his U.S. tour after being denied entry into the country of his birth.

The "Mathematics" rapper, who has been living in South Africa for the past year, has been barred by "immigration/legal issues,” according to a statement on the Boston Together Music Festival site flagged by London's The Guardian.

It's not immediately clear what the issues keeping out the Brooklyn-born Bey, 40. But in recent years he has been increasingly critical of U.S. policies.

Last July, Bey teamed with the human rights group Reprieve to reenact a force-feeding such as the ones endured by hunger strikes jailed in Guantanamo Bay.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/yaslin-bey-aka-mos-def-barred-entering-u-s-tour-report-article-1.1801864

---

Another report by The Guardian:

"I'm not here just for like middle-class comfort, you know. Sure, it's a beautiful place, you got the ocean, the mountain, the botanical garden, the beautiful people, the history, the culture, the struggle and everything — maaan, let me tell you something, for a guy like me, who had five or six generations not just in America but in one town in America, to leave America, things gotta be not so good with America."

Bey has previously lamented tour immigration issues, blaming institutional racism, on the track Mr Nigga: "But I go over seas and I get over-seized / London, Heathrow, me and my people / They think that illegal's a synonym for negro."

[Kurska]

1. After doing a bit of research he appears to have renounced his citizenship.

I imagine that generally does cause a huge problem with trying to go back to the country whose citizenship you renounced.

[RufusTFirefly]

9. Source please?

Thanks in advance.

[Kurska]

16. I found an article on it, however it has been drowned out by other articles.

Many of which don't seem to know if he renounced his citizenship or not. It is confusing.

[MADem]

10. Well, if he did that, then he doesn't need to come on in here just to make money off the suckers

left behind.


Talk about an "Actions Have Consequences" moment!

[Lasher]

2. What's with that, has he formally renounced his US citizenship?

He's worth about $45 million and so he might have done that to avoid paying US income taxes. I'm just guessing though, trying to figure out how he could be denied entry due to "immigration/legal issues."

[jberryhill]

4. Yep, tax émigré who wants to visit to make money

Guy's got chutzpah.

[Lasher]

5. Holy cow that's shitty reporting, not even mentioning that in the linked article.

So we have to hit The Google to finish doing the so-called reporter's half-assed job.

[jberryhill]

3. So...

After sheltering his income from US taxes by renouncing citizenship, he wants to come back and make money?

In general, we don't let people do that.

[former9thward]

7. You are making all sorts of assumptions.

1) he would pay taxes on earnings in the U.S. no matter what his citizenship. 2) there is no evidence he has renounced U.S. citizenship and 3) the U.S. did not refuse him entry. He canceled for "immigration and legal issues" whatever that may mean.

[MADem]

11. US citizens don't "immigrate." They return home. Only foreigners immigrate.

He went to Cuba a while back and made a film about how Gitmo detainees are force fed to prevent them from starving; some suggest he renounced his citizenship without benefit of legal counsel.

In any event, he's not doing a gig at the Wilbur.

[jberryhill]

19. What conceivable "immigration" issue could there be?

Since when does a US citizen need a visa to come to the US?

There is no circumstance under which "immigration" is relevant to a US citizen entering the US. The only way someone born in the US can be having an "immigration" problem is if they are no longer a citizen, since permission is not required for a US citizen to enter the US.

[former9thward]

21. A lawyer did not say those words now did they?

It was a layman who sometimes use words that have legal meaning for others but have different meanings for those using them. Presently there is no evidence the U.S. banned him. There is also no evidence he renounced his citizenship. Assume away.

[jberryhill]

23. "there is no evidence the U.S. banned him"

Fair enough.

But the US cannot "ban" a US citizen from entering the US in the first place. To be barred from entering the US, it is a pre-requisite not to be a citizen.

I apparently made the mistake of taking the report at face value.

[billhicks76]

12. You Know Nothing

What are hou basing this on? He is from here and has always stuck up for everyone's rights. He is as much and mos def probably more of a liberal, human rights orientated person than anyone here.

[jberryhill]

18. Good to see such passion for a rich tax dodger

There are no "immigration issues" with an American citizen entering the United States. There is no "banishment" in US law. The only reason someone born in the US can be barred from entry to the US is if they have renounced their citizenship.

Perhaps you could explain how he is having an "immigration" problem, or in what way he has been somehow denied entry to the US?

You don't need to get some kind of visa to come to the US from another country if you are a US citizen. You buy a ticket and get on a plane.

[byronius]

27. Wow, you're not familiar with this incredible artist at all, apparently. Really, your statement is

amazingly ignorant. 'Rich tax dodger'? Mos Def?

Insert string of invective here, buddy. Really, you're out to lunch on this.

[jberryhill]

28. You have a point

It could be that he doesn't want to pay the back child support he's been ordered to pay, but that wouldn't keep him out of the country.

It's not possible for the US to deny entry to a US citizen. I apparently made the mistake of taking the claim he had been "denied entry" at face value. Instead, it appears to be a lie.

[byronius]

33. Okay, I get it. You hate Mos Def. For whatever pathetic reason.

You're all over this thread, hating on a decent man and a great artist.

But you, of course, are fucking perfect in every way. No mistakes in your shed.

Perfect.

[jberryhill]

36. So you are saying...

That I hate someone because I call bullshit on the assertion that a US citizen is being "barred" from entering the US?

Do you care that the story in the OP is a lie or not? Because that's what one of his friends is reportedly saying.

[byronius]

38. "Tax Dodger". Oh, withdrawn. "Child Support Deadbeat". Oh, no link.

Dude, you just don't get it -- Mos Def is an awesome human being and an amazing artist. I don't really care what sparked his visa denial, or whether it's true or not. I'll wait for the rest of the story. What burns my biscuits, sir, is your language concerning a fellow progressive. This man works to make the world a better place to live every day of his life. Wherever your warped and bitter snark on this issue is coming from, it is a bad place inside of you that you should probably examine more closely.

Plus, your pretense of innocence here is goddamned disgusting. "Oh, what did I say? I didn't mean anything by it."

Yeah, you and Cliven Fucking Bundy were 'just wondering'.

[jberryhill]

43. Lol

Yeah, I'm a racist because some rich guy breached a contract and the promoter is offering a transparently false reason why.

I'm a racist because I don't believe an obvious lie? Because the only way he could be barred from entry would be if he renounced citizenship, which his fellow 1%ers sometimes do.

The other possibility would be his history of child support issues, but that would be a problem with leaving, not entering.

But you'll hang on to an obvious lie - that he's somehow being denied entry to the US - as long as it is advanced on behalf of an entertainer you like.

What does race have to do with it? Someone made a pile of cash promoting an appearance that isn't going to happen, and is lying about it.

[byronius]

45. Lol

Yeah, you're just 'deducing' with a herd of unlinked assertions and no agenda or ax to grind at all.

Purely an intellectual exercise on your part.

Just 'wondering'.

[jberryhill]

24. Reports Mos Def Is Banned From Entering U.S. Are A “Complete Lie” Says Friend

http://allhiphop.com/2014/05/23/reports-mos-def-is-barred-from-entering-u-s-are-a-complete-lie-says-friend/

Times Live is reporting that those statements are completely untrue. The South African based publication spoke with a friend of Mos Def. Abdi “Whosane” Hussein is denying that the Brooklyn born artist is unable to return to the States.

“(Mos Def) has never attempted to enter any country and been refused. It’s a complete lie,” says Hussein. “In fact, if there was anything criminal against you, they would invite you back so they could lock you up.”

[FreakinDJ]

22. Why not - we let Google, GE, Yahoo and many more Corporations do that

[okaawhatever]

6. It's crappy that he renounced his citizenship, but he was good in 16 blocks.

[mwrguy]

8. His forced feeding video was hilariously over-acted

with a loose-fitting fake strap on his head.

As John Stewart would say, "You're not helping."

[billhicks76]

13. Appalled By This Thread

Looks like its still You Are Either With Us Or Against Us. I'm shocked actually. This thread could've been in a Bush supporting site or FOX News and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Where does all this pro war hatred come from? What's next? No Bishop Tutu allowed in the US because he doesn't support our wars of aggression or the NSA? Wow

[billhicks76]

14. And By The Way

He didn't renounce his US citizenship. If you paid attention you would know that this kind of crap happens all the time to Muslim Americans. He criticized our governing and people listened. That's why he is temporarily banned. It's just like with fascist or communist countries but that's what we have become. Hello!?!? I suppose you would hate my friends who are duel citizens with Switzerland or Israel because you disagree with them too. My republican friends would love the comments here. They are feeling left out.

[ybbor]

15. This is an actual free speech issue

I'm also pretty surprised with the responses. So he renounced his citizenship, did he complete the proper paper work to do so? If not, then it was purely rhetoric and he is still a citizen being denied his rights. I think this is pretty sad.

And how dare he put himself through being force fed to make a point about the treatment at the internment camp at Gitmo. Those people aren't deserving of a trial.

[jberryhill]

25. "pro war hatred"

Where are you getting that from?

It seems someone is lying in order to get out of a contract. The US cannot "ban" a US citizen from entering the country. (it is possible that the no-fly list could prevent someone from getting on an airplane, but there is no mechanism under US law to prevent re-entry to the US of a US citizen - none)

There are two choices:

1. You take the report of him being denied entry as true, which necessarily implies he is not a citizen.

2. Someone is lying.

http://allhiphop.com/2014/05/23/reports-mos-def-is-barred-from-entering-u-s-are-a-complete-lie-says-friend/


Times Live is reporting that those statements are completely untrue. The South African based publication spoke with a friend of Mos Def. Abdi “Whosane” Hussein is denying that the Brooklyn born artist is unable to return to the States.

“[Mos Def] has never attempted to enter any country and been refused. It’s a complete lie,” says Hussein. “In fact, if there was anything criminal against you, they would invite you back so they could lock you up.”

...

Hussein adds it is Mos Def’s work on various projects on the Continent that have caused him to move the dates of his concert appearances in America, not any government prevention.

I made the mistake of believing the statement was true, which would of necessity believe he had renounced citizenship.

[Ash_F]

30. Please upload your force-feeding video. /nt

[yurbud]

37. Have It done to yourself on video and show us the authentic reaction

Until then, your attack doesn't carry much weight

[blackspade]

17. Despicable.

Our glorious government at work.

[sweetloukillbot]

20. The article is vague - as is the reason he isn't able to come

I'd think if he was on the no fly list it would be more upfront - and he would make a public statement. He's not shy about criticizing the government, why wouldn't he say something now? Musicians (or rather, their promoters and managers) always make vague excuses for cancelling shows. If he didn't renounce his citizenship (which I see no indication he did), I expect his band had work visa issues. If they aren't American it is notoriously difficult to get work visas for foreign band - and that's a whole other level of bullshit.

[byronius]

26. Mos Def is an awesome poet and a great American. If true, this is really, really stupid.

And if you're not familiar with his work -- I consider him one of the finest poets of our era. I've seen him perform three times -- amazing, and viscerally intelligent.

To imply that Mos Def is some sort of wealthy tax-dodger is the fucking height of ignorance. How shameful and stupid.

[jberryhill]

29. Deadbeat father, not tax dodger

I stand corrected.

That still doesn't keep anyone out of the country.

However, you can't renew your passport and leave the US if you, like Mos Def, owe uncollected child support.

[byronius]

34. How wonderfully mean and small of you.

I bet there's a BIG FAT BACKSTORY to your hatred of this particular artist.

I can smell it a mile away.

[jberryhill]

35. I don't know where you are getting "hatred" out of any of this

Someone has apparently decided to give the false impression that a US citizen is somehow being denied entry to the US.

The only way someone born in the US can be denied entry is if they have renounced citizenship. This person, about whom I know next to nothing, is considerably wealthy, and having taken the story as correct, then the logical conclusion was that he was one of many wealthy people who leave and renounce citizenship for tax reasons, and then are surprised they can't come back.

However, it appears that the story was made up, and that he cancelled the tour for other reasons. The promoter apparently sold a lot of tickets, and is now issuing refunds. There is usually some kind of legal fallout from that, and it appears that someone decided to make up an "impossibility" defense to breach of contract.

Be that as it may, there is one other possibility relating to US entry or exit that may be relevant. He was ordered to pay an increase in child support, refused, and then left the country. That's easy to do if your passport doesn't need renewal, but along with fishing licenses and a bunch of other stuff, passport applications are now one of the things checked against outstanding child support orders, and you can't obtain or renew a passport if you owe back support.

That pretty much covers any reason that might have anything to do with "immigration/legal issues" - if that is even true. Now, there is a report that a friend of his says that is a "complete lie".

So, I don't know next to diddly squat about this person, and what attracted my attention to the story was the assertion that a US citizen was somehow being denied entry to the US. There are a couple of possibilities

1. The assertion is a lie.

2. The person renounced citizenship and can't return.

3. The person has an oustanding child support order and doesn't want to come back because (a) the order could be enforced on them while they are here and (b) there could be difficulties leaving.

4. Something else.

Since you know a whole lot more than I do about this, perhaps you could explain why the story in the OP claims this person is not being permitted to enter the US, and exactly how that is being done?

[byronius]

40. "I don't know next to diddly squat about this person"

That is a correct statement. Perhaps you should learn about someone before you commencing flinging assertions at them.

[jberryhill]

44. I am familiar with "immigration/legal issues"

Which don't have anything to do with the identity of the person claiming they can't enter the US.

[Doctor_J]

41. He is a good actor too. Excellent guest bits in NYPD Blue and Dexter.

But it sounds like in this case he is blaming others for problems he could clear up pretty easily.

[Ash_F]

31. Do we have actual sources for some of the accusations in this thread?

Like..real news sources?

Or are some posters just going to look like asses later?

[seveneyes]

32. Waiting for confirmation

Until then, I'm not worrying too much for a millionaire and his unconfirmed issues. He can buy anything he might want or need in the meantime. Compared to many dirt poor people here, he has no problems.

[yurbud]

39. threads like this really draw the corporate shills like flies to shit

No offense to flies or shit intended

[byronius]

42. Bingo.

[yurbud]

46. someday we should make a list of all the topics that will draw them out...

and post one of them everyday to keep them busy so we can have real conversations about other topics.