Uriel Alberto, an undocumented immigrant and activist who has been jailed since Feb. 29, has been granted an $7,500 immigration bond.
Alberto, 24, was among three people arrested on misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges after demonstrating at a meeting of the House Select Committee on the State’s Role in Immigration Policy. The other two undocumented immigrants were released on bond, but since Alberto has a criminal record of several misdemeanors, he was jailed on a federal immigration detainer.
Alberto, who also went on a 10-day hunger strike, remains in the Wake County Jail until his family and friends can raise the $7,500 or an equivalent amount in collateral, which is often required by immigration bonding companies. This differs from criminal bonds in that defendants in that arrangement often are required to post only a percentage of the bond amount. The NC DREAM Team, a group of young undocumented immigrants and activists, is raising money for his bond.
According to his attorney Beckie Moriello, if Alberto posts his bond and is released, he would be required to inform Immigration and Customs Enforcements officials of his home address and to notify them within five days if he moves. ICE could place other restrictions on him as well.
Alberto’s criminal hearing is April 2; his date in immigration court has not been set.
A native of Oaxaca, Mexico, Alberto was brought to the U.S. by his parents when he was 7 and subsequently moved from Los Angeles to Winston-Salem.
Read the Indy‘s previous stories on Alberto and the immigration committee’s meeting.
