Dancehall artist Squash arrested in Florida for immigration raid

Dancehall artist Squash has been arrested in Florida by border patrol officers for immigration violations.

According to reports Monday afternoon, Squash, whose real name is Andre Whittaker, remains in detention on immigration violations. Squash relocated to Florida sometime in 2021, but it appears he is not legally in the Republican state.

Sources told Urban Islandz on Monday (May 22, 2023) that the artist is being held at the Krome Detention Center in Miami due to issues related to overstaying his work visa. His arrest comes amid concerns by the NAACP and other civil society groups over a new immigration law passed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that targets illegal immigration.

The law goes into effect in June, but the National Guard and other agencies are in full force targeting public transportation, public spaces and other environments such as workplaces where people work illegally. The law also targets family and friends and introduces a range of new offenses for those caught with illegal people.

As for squash, it’s unclear how the result will play out for him, but the artist was recently named as a suspect in a Lauderhill shooting.

The artist had denied being involved in the incident, stressing that instead he was just working and focusing on the music.

He left Jamaica sometime in late 2021 following tensions in Montego Bay and rumors that he was an alleged violent producer and was linked to gangs and lottery scams.

In an interview with OnStage in 2022, the artist said he had to leave Jamaica because of “corruption” and harassment by the “system.”

Meanwhile, Squash is mourning the death of a member of his crew, Mad Daag6, who was shot and killed at Mount Zion in St. James earlier this month. In response to his friend’s death, the 6ixx leader said Mad Daag was the first person to believe in him as an artist and helped him advance his career.

Squash has also released new music, including his song “Style,” which Codelank released last weekend. He also released Tequila and Live Loud this month.