Once again, it is not illegil, much less a federal offense to have african soft furred rats. Check the relevant laws. 99% of african soft-furred rats in the USA are captive bred, not imports. It IS illegil(and a federal offense) to import them from Africa(without a large amount of permits and paperwork.
It's NOT illegil to have them. Buy them, breed them, feed them, pet them, or dress them in tutus and dance with them.
Wolfy