Squash Released from Federal Prison, Now in ICE Custody as U.S. Immigration Battle Looms

Dancehall entertainer Squash has been released from federal prison but remains in U.S. government custody after being transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), placing his immigration status at the centre of the next chapter in his legal ordeal. The Jamaican artiste, whose given name is Andrae Maurice Whittaker, appeared on ICE’s online detainee database shortly after 10 am on Tuesday, October 27, following his release from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Squash was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison in November 2025 after pleading guilty to being an alien in possession of a firearm. The charge stemmed from his detention during a traffic stop in Miami in February of that year. However, the entertainer served only a fraction of his original sentence after benefiting from several sentence-reduction measures, paving the way for his release from federal prison.

His release, however, does not necessarily mean a return to freedom. As part of his guilty plea, Squash acknowledged that he would face removal proceedings following his detention. His subsequent transfer to ICE custody signals a new phase in the case, as U.S. immigration authorities determine the next steps in his situation. While ICE detention can precede deportation proceedings, it does not, on its own, establish that a final removal order has been issued.

The development places fresh attention on the future of the dancehall entertainer, who built a following through his music and presence in the Jamaican music industry. Questions remain about how long he will remain in immigration custody, whether he will be granted release while his case proceeds, and what the outcome could mean for his ability to remain in the United States.

For now, Squash’s release from FCI Oakdale marks the end of one stage of his legal proceedings, but his transfer to ICE custody leaves his immediate future uncertain. Further developments in his immigration case are likely to determine what comes next for the dancehall artiste.