NAHJ condemns the arrest and detention of journalist Mario Guevara

June 18, 2025 – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) condemns the arrest of journalist Mario Guevara while covering a protest in metro Atlanta and his subsequent transfer into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody — an alarming affront to press freedom and due process in the United States.

Guevara, a widely known Spanish-language reporter who has long documented immigration enforcement actions, was arrested Saturday while livestreaming police conduct at the protest and was reportedly taken into ICE custody today. He now faces potential deportation to El Salvador – despite having been charged only with misdemeanors and not convicted of any crime.

The right to document police activity in public is clearly established for both journalists and the public at large.

“Arresting a journalist for filming public police activity is a violation of the First Amendment and undermines the essential role of the press in holding government accountable,” said NAHJ President Dunia Elvir. “It sends a dangerous message that journalists — especially those covering immigrant communities — can be targeted and criminalized simply for doing their jobs.”

Turning Guevara over to ICE while he awaits trial raises serious due process concerns. U.S. law and ICE’s own policies generally prioritize the removal of individuals convicted of serious offenses, not journalists charged — but not convicted — of misdemeanors. Detaining him under these circumstances risks violating both his right to due process and international standards on press freedom.

We call for:

• The immediate release of Mario Guevara from ICE custody;
• Full respect for his due process rights in immigration court;
• An investigation into the circumstances of his arrest and transfer to ICE;
• Clear reaffirmations by local, state, and federal law enforcement that journalists have the right to document public protests and law enforcement actions without fear of retaliation.

Deportees risk confinement in El Salvador’s notorious mega-prison, built as part of a crackdown on violent gangs in the Central American country.

NAHJ stands in solidarity with Mario Guevara and all journalists whose work keeps the public informed on matters of vital public concern.