The INS issued a ruling last week to deport rapper Slick Rick back to his birthplace of England. Rick's lawyers filed a motion to stay the deportation, but the judge has not ruled, which means the Bronx-bred rapper could be sent back at any moment. He has been a resident of the United States Since 1976, but never became a citizen.

December 3), The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and John Conyers, the head of the Congressional Black Caucus and ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, issued a plea to stop the INS deportation proceedings and at least grant Rick bond while the case is still being heard. Conyers has been a vocal critic of the Justice Department's policy of secrecy in regards to immigration hearings since 9-11.

Slick Rick was detained by the INS six months ago after he left America, venturing into international waters to perform aboard a cruise ship to support radio personality Tom Joyner's charity. The rapper is being held in a federal prison in Bradenton, Florida.

Supporters of Slick Rick maintain the rapper the rapper has preserved an extremely stable home life with a wife and children and managed a successful recording career. The rapper has not broken the law once since being released.

Rick served 5 years and 12 days in prison. According to United States law, any non-citizen who serves more than 5 years in prison must be deported.

(additional info from mister X)
Congressman John Conyers, Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus & the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network have issued an appeal to the stop the deportation. "He has been held unjustly over 6 months," (President of HHSN) Minister Ben Muhammad told AllHipHop.com. "We in the hip-hop community will not allow his deportation to go unchallenged."