The news that London born singer/songwriter and all-round cool lady Mathangi Arulpragasam, better known as M.I.A., will not compromise her wedding by rushing into a quick ceremony simply to please US immigration authorities, is a political stance the singer has become known for through the years.

Having been born to Sri Lankan parents in 1970’s West London, Arulpragasam has perhaps lived a life closer to a nomadic artist than a typical immigrant. After her birth and only 6-months old, Arulpragasam’s family followed her father to first Sri Lanka and then India, as he supported the Tamil tigers cause in the Sri Lankan civil war. Arulpragasam then returned to 80’s London as a refugee and went on to study at the Central St. Martins School of art, before settling in the USA.

Perhaps in large part to her early childhood and the feelings she experienced being a refugee, M.I.A.’s music and art have always been on the borders of societies pop culture. Sounding, looking, being different has always been M.I.A.’s style. It is little wonder then that the artist is not worried about threats from immigration that she will be deported over her soon to end US visa.

US immigration are said to be already wary of the singer because of her Father’s political allegiances and her own outspoken rhetoric on subjects as diverse as marriage and school-building projects in Liberia. The artist is quoted as saying she will give them ‘one hell of a fight’ if they try to deport her, and who are we to doubt it.