Arrested Immigration Reporter Jailed by ICE in Georgia Pleads for His Government’s Help

A high‑profile Salvadoran journalist held in Georgia by ICE is urging his own government—especially President Nayib Bukele—to intercede. Mario Guevara, founder of MG News, says U.S. authorities are targeting him for covering street operations.

🧭 What We Know:
Guevara was arrested on June 14 while livestreaming a protest in DeKalb County. He clearly identified himself as press and wore a vest marked “PRESS”

Initially hit with misdemeanor charges, those were dismissed on June 25 due to insufficient evidence. He was placed under ICE detainer on June 18 and later transferred to multiple jails, including the Folkston immigration center.

An immigration judge granted a $7,500 bond on July 1, but federal prosecutors appealed, freezing the bond.

He remains in custody and faces deportation proceedings based on immigration and traffic charges.

Guevara lived in the U.S. legally since 2004, holds work authorization, and has a pending green card application.

❗ Why It Matters:
Guevara is one a journalists detained in the United States, which raises alarms about press freedom.

🌍 In Context: Press freedom groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, warn his arrest may reflect a growing trend of immigrant journalists facing legal threats simply for documenting enforcement actions. Legal experts have raised First‑Amendment concerns, noting his arrest looked retaliatory.

👉 What’s Next: Guevara hopes Bukele will request U.S. intervention. His attorneys are pursuing appeal on bond and challenging deportation in court. Advocacy groups are urging public support.

✅ His Full Message: Below is Guevara’s full message, sent from prison.

“I hereby make a call to the Government of El Salvador, particularly to President Nayib Bukele, to please intercede on my behalf with the Government of the United States, as I am being persecuted for having carried out my journalistic work while covering operations in the streets.

A U.S. judge granted me the privilege of release on bond; however, the prosecutor in charge of the case appealed, and that privilege has been denied. I am about to complete a month in jail, and I need to get out in order to continue with my life, return to my work, and support my family. I have lived in the United States for nearly 22 years.

I had never been arrested before. In these past three weeks, I have been held in five different jails, and I believe the government is trying to tarnish my record in order to deport me as if I were a criminal. I sincerely hope you will intercede for me. I am a father who has paid taxes throughout all these years and who has never committed any kind of crime in this country, nor in El Salvador. I believe I do not deserve to be treated this way.

I have never been a burden to this country, as I have never received any type of public benefits. Additionally, I have a son with a special condition who needs my presence and care.”

⚠️ Reminder: Crime articles contain only charges and information from police reports and law enforcement statements. Suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

📜 The First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

What Does it Mean: The First Amendment protects five big freedoms that everyone in the United States has.

These are the five freedoms:

1. Freedom of Religion — You can believe in any religion you want, or not believe in any religion at all. The government can’t force you to believe something or punish you for your beliefs.
2. Freedom of Speech — You can say what you think and share your ideas, even if others don’t agree with you.
3. Freedom of the Press — Newspapers, TV, websites, and reporters can share news and opinions without the government telling them what to say.
4. Freedom to Assemble — You can gather in groups to protest, march, or meet peacefully to talk about things you care about.
5. Freedom to Petition the Government — You can ask the government and government representatives to fix problems or make changes by writing letters, starting petitions, or speaking out in public.

In short, the First Amendment makes sure you can have your own thoughts, share your ideas, and stand up for what you believe — as long as you do it peacefully.