Guyanese Facebook personality remains in US immigration custody

Last Updated on Monday, 17 March 2025, 21:32 by Writer

Guyanese Facebook-based anti-government activist, Melissa Holder also known as Melissa “Melly Mel” Atwell on Monday remained in the custody of United States Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to official records.

Official records show that Ms Holder, arrested last Thursday, would appear before Immigration Judge, Richard Jacobs on June 25 for a master hearing.

At that hearing, the judge is expected to explain the charges she is facing, allow her to plead, and make an application to show why she should not be deported from the US.

A post on Ms Atwell’s Facebook profile at the weekend confirmed that she was detained and that she needed donations to pay for her legal fees to secure her freedom. She is being held at the Richwood Correctional Center in Lousiana.

The Guyana government has declined to comment on Ms Atwell’s arrest, though Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Public Works Minister Deodat Indar have pending defamation lawsuits against her. She has persistently accused the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) of corruption in the award of multimillion-dollar contracts.

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) on Monday became the latest opposition political party to add its voice to concerns about Ms Atwell’s arrest and detention, while admitting that it had no details about the case. “What we do know is that there has been a back and forth between the government and Ms Atwell. It seems as if Ms Atwell has ruffled feathers in the halls of power,” WPA Co-Leader David Hinds said. The WPA urged the Guyana government to ascertain from the US government why Ms Atwell was arrested and inform Guyanese.

Dr Hinds said the Guyana government was obliged to enquire from the US the circumstances surrounding Ms Atwell’s arrest because she is a high-profile Guyanese.

Like the WPA, the Alliance For Change (AFC) did not rule out the Guyana government having a role in Ms Atwell’s detention. The AFC said her incarceration was expected to dampen her efforts at uncovering corruption, often times supported with evidence. “The Alliance For Change is concerned that the arrest of Ms. Melissa Atwell in the USA will have serious impact on national efforts to expose corruption and unlawful conduct in Guyana,” that party said.

The AFC did not believe that Ms Atwell would receive a fair trial if she returns to Guyana.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has already called on the Guyana government to say whether it played any role in Ms Atwell’s arrest. “The PNCR remains firmly committed to the fundamental principles of democracy, including the right to free speech. While Ms. Atwell has also been openly critical of the PNCR and its leadership, we strongly believe that all citizens, regardless of their political stance, should be free to express their views without fear of undue persecution,” that party said.