US immigration court orders Melissa Atwell-Holder’s release on bond

Last Updated on Friday, 28 March 2025, 22:09 by Denis Chabrol

Guyanese social media activist, Melissa “Melly-Mel” Atwell Holder was Wednesday granted a bond of US$7,500 pending the further processing of her immigration status as she has been married to a US citizen.

Defence Lawyer, Joyce Booth told the court that the case concerned her client overstaying her visa. Responding to queries from the judge about members of the Guyanese media being present, she said Ms Atwell-Holder is an activist against the Guyana government.

Immigration Judge Francis Mwangi upheld her lawyer’s representation. The Department of Immigration’s Principal Legal Adviser said her status has been verified and that she did not oppose bail.

Judge Mwangi told Ms Atwell Holder that she would be released on payment of the bond and that she could continue with her adjustment of status application. “If that’s not approved, then the Department (of Immigration and Customs Enforcement) may see you in the future, maybe not,” she said. Her case has been transferred to a court in New York if there are to be removal proceedings in the future.

An online fund-raiser has accumulated almost US$40,000 to support Ms Atwell Holder.

The Department of Immigration’s lawyer said Ms Atwell has no criminal history, does not pose a threat to the US, nor is a flight risk.

Ms Booth told the court that she did not know why she was arrested and “that’s a mystery”.

The Department’s lawyer confirmed that Ms Atwell Holder entered the US on a visa and that the issue was whether she is a danger to the community and a flight risk. She entered the US in 2022 and married to a US citizen, Paul Holder, for the past two years and they live together in Brooklyn, New York.

The Department verified that an I-130 (the first step to help an eligible relative apply to immigrate to the United States and apply for a Green Card) has been approved and has a pending I-45 (application for Legal Permanent Residence) with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service and that she has no criminal history, does not pose a danger to US security interests, not a danger to the community or a danger to US property.

Ms Atwell-Holder is known for being a staunch critic of the People’s Progressive Party Civic administration especially in the area of corruption. The opposition People’s National Congress Reform, Alliance For Change and the Working People’s Alliance have accused the Irfaan Ali-led administration of being behind her arrest in the US. However, the government has maintained that that is a matter for the US and it has no jurisdiction in such a matter.