Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning reporter known for his immigration coverage on the Facebook news channel MGnews, was arrested in Atlanta while livestreaming protests against Trump administration’s ICE raids during the “No Kings Day” demonstration.
Guevara was filming in the Embry Hills neighborhood, northwest of Atlanta, when he was detained by police. According to video footage of the arrest, Guevara was wearing a press badge and clearly identified himself as a journalist to officers.
Originally from El Salvador, Guevara has been living in the United States for 20 years and is currently in the process of obtaining a green card through his son, a U.S. citizen.
Following his arrest, Guevara was booked into the DeKalb County Jail and charged with:
- Obstruction of law enforcement officers
- Improperly walking in a roadway
- Unlawful assembly
Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer, a move that often signals the start of deportation proceedings.
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) raised concerns about Guevara’s arrest. SPJ national president Emily Bloch told Atlanta Civic Circle:
“Mr. Guevara seems to have been clearly identified as press, and while we are still looking into the details, based on what we know, he should not have been prevented from doing his job, much less taken into custody.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Guevara is currently facing deportation, despite holding a valid work permit.
At Free Press Alliance, we are deeply alarmed by this incident. Arresting journalists for doing their jobs undermines press freedom, violates constitutional protections, and sends a chilling message to immigrant and independent reporters.