Arrest of Salvadoran Journalist During "No Kings" Demonstration Might Lead to Deportation Proceedings
In the heart of Georgia, a Salvadoran journalist, Mario Guevara, is entangled in a delicate situation. Known for documenting immigration raids on social media, Guevara was arrested during a protest near Atlanta last weekend, potentially facing deportation.
Federal authorities have requested an immigration detainer for Guevara, his lawyer confirmed. This could lead to his deportation, sparking outrage from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Katherine Jacobsen, their US, Canada, and Caribbean program coordinator, cited this as a "crude form of censorship."
Guevara, who entered the US in 2004 on a tourist visa due to death threats in El Salvador, gained prominence in Georgia for his one-man-band journalism focusing on immigration enforcement. His Facebook outlet, "MG News," boasts 110,000 followers, while his personal account counts 782,000 followers. He was live-streaming his arrest on Saturday during a Doraville protest, capturing the event on video before his eventual escort to a police car.
According to his attorneys, Guevara was clearly identifiable as a member of the media, wearing a vest and press credentials during the livestream. Despite being granted bond, he remains in custody following the ICE detainer request.
ICE may issue detainer requests to local agencies, including jails, to hold individuals for up to 48 additional hours, enabling ICE officers to arrest the person. However, these agencies are not obliged to honor an ICE request. If immigration authorities take custody of Guevara, his attorneys are preparing to file another bail motion.
Guevara's case has drawn attention from journalists’ rights groups, with the Committee to Protect Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) urging his immediate release and respect for his due process rights. The NAHJ has also demanded investigations into the circumstances of his arrest and transfer to ICE custody, emphasizing the right of journalists to document protests without fear of retaliation.
As of June 18, Guevara remains detained at the DeKalb County Jail. If deported to El Salvador, he could face risks due to the country’s harsh crackdown on criminal groups and the conditions of its mega-prisons.
The current situation of Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran journalist, has sparked concern and outrage within the Committee to Protect Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), as his arrest and possible deportation could be seen as an encroachment on journalistic freedom in the realm of politics and general-news. In response, his attorneys are prepared to file another bail motion should immigration authorities take custody of Guevara.
