Melly Mel released from US custody

Last Updated on Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 18:44 by Writer

Guyanese social media personality Melissa Atwell-Holder has been released from the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after posting a US$7,500 bond ordered by an immigration court.

A check on the ICE Detainee Locator System did not reveal her name, unlike up to Sunday, when her name appeared in the database. That had raised questions as to why she was still in custody although a judge had granted her bail since last week Friday. An online fund-raiser has accumulated almost US$40,000 to support Ms Atwell Holder.

Up to Tuesday morning, her prime Facebook page remained silent.

Regarded in opposition circles as a campaigner against corruption and bad governance by the People’s Progressive Party Civic-led administration, Ms Atwell’s arrest and detention last month had been attributed to the Guyana government. The government denied having any role to play. Ms Atwell-Holder is facing two multi-million dollar lawsuits by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Public Works Minister Deodat Indar.

Last Wednesday, her 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.

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.