Dorado, Puerto Rico
Alegría was born in the town of Dorado, Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. In 1901, he earned a teachers certificate. Alegría became interested in politics at a young age and when he was 16 years old, he founded the Federal Youth Committee of the Federal Party in the town of Barceloneta. His family sent him to the United States to continue his college education. He attended Valparaiso University, in Indiana and in 1908 earned his law degree.