Vigil for the release of Suzy Geronimo on Wednesday, April 8, in Henderson, North Carolina, ahead of her first hearing. / Supplied Suzy Gerónimo, a transgender activist from North Carolina, appeared in immigration court today, Thursday, April 9, while she remains in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During the administrative hearing, the judge scheduled the next bail hearing for April 28, when it will be decided whether she can be released while her case continues. immigration process. “It’s a pretty simple hearing. It’s basically just going to be rescheduled,” attorney Beckie Moriello told Enlace Latino NC Regarding today's administrative hearing, she explained that no decisions were made beyond setting subsequent dates for the process. Moriello, owner of Raleigh Immigration Law FirmShe indicated that her firm is providing pro bono legal representation in the case. Attorney Allison Luckanich is handling the immigration case. Gerónimo was arrested last month He was arrested in Franklin County by local officers after a traffic stop, according to acquaintances. He is currently being held at the Stewart Detention Center, a Georgia facility with a capacity for more than 1,700 people in ICE custody. Suzy Geronimo is recognized for being the first trans woman in North Carolina to found an organization, Strength and Multiple UnionDedicated to the LGBTQ+ and Latino community. / Walter Gómez, ELNC Since her arrest by ICE, the local community has organized to support her. Community support continues Friends and allies held a vigil yesterday in Henderson to call for Geronimo's release. The vigil was intended to “pray, support, and raise hope,” reads the organization's invitation. Henderson Active Strength. Vigil for the release of Suzy Geronimo on Wednesday, April 8, ahead of her first hearing. / Supplied Eliazar Posada, executive director of Equality NC, leads the fundraising to cover basic needs during their custody, such as communication with family members, food, clothing, and other costs. “For many of us in the community, the hearing brings some hope that he can return to his community,” the Carrboro vice mayor also told Enlace Latino NC. “We know it is a difficult case, especially being a trans woman under this administration, but her community is supporting her in prayers so that she will be allowed to continue her work in Vance County.” Geronimo is recognized for being the first trans woman in North Carolina to found an organization, Strength and Multiple Union, dedicated to the LGBTQ+ and Latino community. For more than a decade she has actively participated in state and federal legislative initiatives, defending the rights of trans people and immigrants. Related: More than 800 arrests at airports after data sharing between TSA and ICE Next steps The next step will be the bail hearing April 28. At that hearing, a judge will determine if she can be released while her immigration case continues and under what conditions. Attorney Moriello said that recent changes to federal policies protecting LGBTQ+ people likely won't directly affect the case. However, she noted that her biggest concern is the possibility that ICE might try to send Geronimo to a third country. “What worries me much more is that they will send it to third countries. That is my biggest concern, because we know that the Trump administration has done that frequently,” Moriello said. “In that case, we would have to prove that she is at risk in each country they try to send her to, which could be complicated, depending on how aggressive they want to be in choosing the countries,” she added. Moriello noted that, although they are still in the preliminary stages, the legal team is doing everything possible to ensure Geronimo's release. “At the moment, we are still in the preliminary stages. We are doing everything we can to get it released,” Moriello said. PODCAST After the storm A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity. 🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience. ▶️Press play to listen! Claudia M. Rivera Cotto is a bilingual journalist who covers political, government and immigration issues in North Carolina for Enlace Latino NC. Claudia is part of Report for America. Previously,... More from Claudia Rivera Cotto