‘Melly Mel’ granted US$7,500 bail after two-week detention by ICE over visa overstay

Social media activist Melissa Atwell-Holder, known as Melly Mel, has been granted bail following her arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) two weeks ago.

Atwell-Holder, who appeared before Judge Mwangi Francis for a master hearing on Friday, secured a bond in the sum of US$7,500, and will be released from detention once the bond is posted.

Melly Mel, who appeared in court wearing a brown jumpsuit and holding a book, was visibly shaking her head throughout the proceedings. Her attorney, Joyce Booth, addressed the court, clarifying that Atwell-Holder’s case was solely an immigration matter, related to her overstaying in the United States, and not connected to her political activism.

According to Booth, Atwell-Holder entered the U.S. in 2022 and later married U.S. citizen Paul Holder in 2023. The couple has been living together in Brooklyn, New York, for the past two years. Booth further stated that her client has no criminal history, is not considered a threat, and is not a flight risk.

“This is a regular case of overstaying,” Booth stated, requesting that a reasonable bond be set.

Atwell-Holder’s background checks revealed no criminal history, the Department told the Court, supporting Booth’s claims. The 38-year-old activist entered the U.S. on a visa and has been awaiting approval for a pending adjustment of status with U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) since 2023.

Atwell-Holder’s I-130 petition is approved, and the I-485 adjustment of status application is still pending.

Atwell-Holder’s situation raised questions from the judge due to her marriage to a U.S. citizen, which might typically make her eligible for a waiver in such cases. However, her overstayed visa has resulted in her being placed in removal proceedings.

Despite the circumstances, Booth maintains that the case should be treated as a standard immigration issue rather than something more complex. “From my end, this is a regular case of overstaying with no other reason,” she said.

The bond hearing concluded with the decision to set the bond at US$7,500. Once the bond is posted, Atwell-Holder will be released from the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, where she has been held since her arrest.