Dancehall star Rygin King is facing another “Tuff” battle—this time in US immigration custody.

The entertainer, whose given name is Matthew Smith, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in March while his unresolved New York gun case continued through the courts.

However, immigration authorities have not publicly disclosed the official reason for his detention. Claims that the criminal case automatically halted a permanent-residency application have also not been independently confirmed.

The case stems from a July 2024 traffic stop in Queens, New York, during which police reportedly recovered a loaded firearm from a vehicle occupied by King, his wife and four other people.

King pleaded not guilty to six charges, including second-degree criminal possession of a loaded firearm. The matter has since been delayed by adjournments and suppression proceedings in the Queens Supreme Court. DancehallMag

His detention has drawn particular concern because of his serious physical challenges.

King sustained spinal-cord injuries after being shot three times in Westmoreland in 2020 during an attack that claimed the life of his manager’s wife, Sashalee Blackwood. He later relocated to the United States for orthopaedic consultations and rehabilitation.

The deejay’s condition requires significant daily care, raising questions among fans about his access to appropriate medical treatment and physical support while in federal custody.

King remains innocent of the New York charges unless proven guilty in court