Mario Guevara, a well-known immigration reporter and longtime resident of the United States, may face deportation after being arrested by local police in Georgia while covering a protest. Guevara, originally from El Salvador, was detained Saturday by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office during a demonstration near Atlanta dubbed the “No Kings” protest, which targeted President Donald Trump.
Authorities charged Guevara with obstruction of officers, unlawful assembly, and improperly entering a roadway. A livestream video he recorded shows the journalist standing on a sidewalk with other members of the press as officers in riot gear approached. Guevara can be heard telling police, “I’m a member of the media, officer,” just moments before he was arrested. He was visibly wearing a red shirt under a protective vest clearly labeled “PRESS.”
Following his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Guevara, requesting that he be held beyond his release time to allow for possible transfer into federal custody and potential removal proceedings.
Immigration status of Guevara
Guevara’s attorney, Giovanni Diaz, said that although his client is not a legal permanent resident, he has authorization to live and work in the United States. Guevara has resided in Georgia since 2004 after fleeing political violence in El Salvador, where he had been beaten and harassed for his reporting at La Prensa Gráfica. He now has an adult son who is a U.S. citizen and has a pending green card application.
Diaz noted that a judge granted Guevara bond on Monday, but the ICE hold kept him in custody for an additional 48 hours. “He has a strong case to remain in the U.S.,” Diaz said, but added that the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement has “created another level of anxiety.”
Guevara’s arrest has sparked concern among press freedom advocates and immigrant rights groups. His online platform, MGNew, has gained a large following for real-time coverage of immigration raids, protests, and community news. Guevara’s Facebook page alone has more than 782,000 followers.
The “No Kings” protest in DeKalb County was one of many nationwide demonstrations against the Trump administration over the weekend. Police reported that protesters were marching toward an interstate on-ramp when officers intervened, using tear gas and making at least eight arrests. Guevara was photographed at the scene by outlets including the Associated Press.
Footage from Guevara’s livestream shows him recording events from a distance, standing beside a shopping center away from the main crowd. The video does not show any clear confrontation between him and law enforcement prior to his arrest.
Advocates say the case raises serious questions about the treatment of immigrant journalists and freedom of the press in politically charged environments.
