Journalist Detained by ICE While Reporting on ‘No Kings’ Immigration Protests Sparks Outrage

Freedom of the press and civil rights organizations are supporting journalist Mario Guevara, who has been held in immigration custody following his arrest while covering a protest in Atlanta. They express concerns that his detention may undermine press freedoms and pose risks for noncitizen journalists. Guevara, an independent digital journalist reporting in Spanish, has been in custody for a week after law enforcement officials turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Guevara has authorization to live and work in the United States, as stated by his attorney, Giovanni Diaz. He also has a pending application with the Department of Homeland Security for legal permanent residency, sponsored by his adult son who is a U.S. citizen. Nevertheless, a week after his arrest, Guevara was transferred to ICE, which issued a detainer on him after halting his bail proceedings.

On June 14, Guevara was arrested while livestreaming a protest against former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies in Atlanta. He faced three misdemeanor charges: improper entry into a roadway, obstruction of law enforcement officers, and unlawful assembly. The Committee to Protect Journalists noted that the charges were not reviewed by the local Solicitor General’s office before ICE took him into custody, denying him the chance to defend his First Amendment rights.

Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at Homeland Security, stated that Guevara’s placement in removal proceedings stemmed from his illegal entry into the country in 2004, not from his role as a journalist. In response to these developments, various organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, have called for his immediate release and for an investigation into the circumstances of his arrest. These groups emphasize the importance of protecting journalists’ rights to document public protests without facing retaliation.