Detained Journalist Remains Hopeful Despite Deportation Threat, Lawyer Says

Key Takeaways

• Guevara, a Salvadoran journalist in the US since 2004, was arrested during a June 17, 2025 protest.
• The INA § 212(a)(3)(C) allows deportation for non-citizen journalists on ‘foreign policy grounds.’
• Advocacy groups warn deportations create a chilling effect on press freedom and public information.

A Salvadoran journalist named Guevara, who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since 2004, now faces deportation after being arrested while live-streaming a “No Kings” protest on June 17, 2025. Guevara’s case has drawn attention from press freedom advocates, legal experts, and immigrant communities, raising urgent questions about the risks non-citizen journalists face in the current immigration climate. As of June 18, 2025, Guevara remains detained, with his attorney stating that he is staying hopeful despite the threat of deportation. This situation highlights the complex intersection of immigration law, press freedom, and the rights of non-citizens who report on sensitive topics.

Who Is Guevara and What Happened?

Guevara is a Salvadoran journalist who came to the United States 🇺🇸 in 2004 on a tourist visa. He left El Salvador after receiving death threats related to his reporting. For over two decades, he has lived in the U.S., continuing his work as a journalist. On June 17, 2025, while live-streaming a “No Kings” protest, Guevara was arrested by U.S. authorities. The specific city of his arrest has not always been disclosed in reports, but the event has become a focal point for discussions about the treatment of non-citizen journalists.

His arrest was not an isolated incident. In recent months, several journalists and activists have faced detention or threats of deportation, including cases like Manuel Duran, another Salvadoran journalist, and Kasper Eriksen, a Mississippi father arrested at his citizenship hearing. These cases show a pattern of increased scrutiny and enforcement against non-citizen journalists and activists.

Why Are Non-Citizen Journalists at Risk?

The United States 🇺🇸 has strict immigration controls, and non-citizen journalists are especially vulnerable if their work is seen as controversial or if it touches on sensitive political issues. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), specifically section 212(a)(3)(C), the Secretary of State can declare a non-citizen inadmissible or deportable if their presence or activities are believed to have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” This is known as the “foreign policy grounds” provision.

This provision is broad and can be used to target journalists and activists whose reporting is seen as critical of U.S. policies or foreign governments. No major new immigration laws have been passed in June 2025, but enforcement of existing rules remains strong. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this ongoing enforcement means non-citizen journalists like Guevara continue to face significant risks.

What Happens After Arrest? The Deportation Process Explained

When a non-citizen journalist is arrested, the process that follows can be confusing and stressful. Here’s a step-by-step look at what typically happens:

1. Arrest: The journalist is taken into custody, often during a protest or while reporting.
2. Detention: The individual is placed in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility.
   3. Immigration Court Proceedings: The case is referred to immigration court. Here, the journalist can apply for relief, such as asylum or withholding of removal. Asylum is a form of protection for people who fear persecution in their home country.
   4. Deportation Order: If the court denies relief, a deportation order is issued. The person may then be removed from the United States 🇺🇸.
3. Appeals: The journalist can appeal the decision, but this process can be long and complicated.

For more details about the immigration court process, readers can visit the official U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review website.

The “No Kings” Protest and Its Significance

The “No Kings” protest, where Guevara was arrested, was a public demonstration. While the specific details of the protest are not fully outlined in available reports, such events often focus on issues of democracy, government accountability, or opposition to authoritarianism. Journalists like Guevara play a key role in covering these events, providing information to the public and holding authorities accountable.

However, covering protests can put journalists at risk, especially if they are not U.S. citizens. The use of immigration law to detain or deport journalists at protests raises concerns about freedom of the press and the right to report on matters of public interest.

Press Freedom and the Chilling Effect

Advocacy groups such as the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have spoken out about the dangers of using immigration law to target journalists. They warn that these actions can have a “chilling effect.” This means that journalists may avoid covering certain topics or protests out of fear of being arrested or deported. As a result, the public gets less information, and important stories may go untold.

Laura Davison, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), has criticized the deportation of journalists, saying that trusted journalism is especially important during times of heightened safety concerns. When journalists are afraid to report, everyone loses access to important news.

Legal Uncertainty and Due Process Concerns

One of the biggest problems with the “foreign policy grounds” provision is that it is vague. The law does not clearly define what counts as “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” This gives authorities a lot of power to decide who can stay in the country and who must leave. Legal experts say this uncertainty makes it hard for non-citizen journalists to know where they stand.

Procedural risks are also high. Some non-citizens have been arrested during legal proceedings, such as citizenship hearings, or while reporting at protests. In these situations, people may be detained and deported quickly, sometimes without a full chance to present their case or seek legal help.

Other Recent Cases: A Pattern Emerges

Guevara’s case is not unique. In May 2025, Kasper Eriksen, a father living in Mississippi, was arrested by ICE at his citizenship hearing and threatened with deportation. Internationally, similar incidents have occurred. For example, in Türkiye, BBC journalist Mark Lowen was detained and deported in March 2025 while covering protests.

These cases show that the use of immigration law to control or punish journalists is not limited to the United States 🇺🇸. It is part of a global trend where governments use legal tools to silence critical voices.

Stakeholders and Their Perspectives

Several groups are directly affected by these policies:

• Journalists: Non-citizen journalists like Guevara face the risk of detention, deportation, and separation from their communities.
• Families: The families of detained journalists experience stress, fear, and uncertainty about the future.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations such as RCFP, IFJ, and NUJ work to protect press freedom and support journalists facing legal threats.
• Government Officials: Authorities argue that immigration enforcement is necessary for national security and public order. They maintain that all non-citizens must follow U.S. laws.

Each group has a different perspective, but the debate centers on how to balance national security with the right to free speech and a free press.

Historical and International Context

The United States 🇺🇸 has a history of using immigration law to target activists and journalists, especially during times of political tension. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have faced criticism for using immigration enforcement to suppress dissent. Cases involving students, activists, and journalists have become more common in recent years.

Internationally, the pattern is similar. In countries like Türkiye, foreign journalists have been arrested and deported for their reporting. This global context shows that the struggle for press freedom and the rights of non-citizen journalists is not limited to one country.

What Are the Legal Options for Detained Journalists?

When a journalist like Guevara is detained, there are several possible legal options:

• Asylum: If the journalist fears persecution in their home country, they can apply for asylum. This process requires showing that they have a well-founded fear of harm based on their work, political opinion, or other protected grounds.
• Withholding of Removal: This is similar to asylum but has different legal requirements. It can prevent deportation to a country where the person would face danger.
• Appeals: If the immigration court denies relief, the journalist can appeal the decision. Appeals can take months or even years, and the outcome is not guaranteed.

For more information about asylum and related forms, readers can visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asylum page.

The Impact on Press Freedom and Public Information

The threat of deportation for non-citizen journalists has a direct impact on press freedom. When journalists are afraid to report on protests, government actions, or controversial topics, the public loses access to important information. This weakens democracy and makes it harder for people to hold their leaders accountable.

Advocacy groups argue that using immigration law to silence journalists is a threat to everyone’s right to know what is happening in their country. They call for reforms to protect journalists and ensure that immigration laws are not used to punish people for their reporting.

What Can Be Done? Calls for Reform and Future Outlook

Many legal experts and advocacy groups are calling for changes to the “foreign policy grounds” provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. They want clearer rules that protect press freedom and ensure due process for non-citizen journalists. Some groups are also challenging these laws in court, arguing that they are too broad and can be abused.

Looking ahead, it is likely that immigration authorities will continue to enforce existing laws, putting non-citizen journalists and activists at ongoing risk. However, increased attention from advocacy groups, the media, and the public may lead to legal challenges and, possibly, policy reforms.

Key Facts at a Glance

Here is a summary of the main facts about Guevara’s case:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are journalists being targeted for deportation?
Non-citizen journalists can be targeted under broad immigration laws that allow deportation if their work is seen as a threat to public order or foreign policy.

What legal options do detained journalists have?
They can apply for asylum, withholding of removal, or other forms of relief in immigration court. They may also appeal decisions, but the process can be long and uncertain.

How does this affect press freedom?
The risk of deportation creates a chilling effect, making journalists less likely to cover important stories. This reduces the diversity of voices in the media and limits the public’s right to information.

Resources and Where to Get Help

If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, here are some resources:

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): ice.gov | 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423)
• Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP): rcfp.org | [email protected]
• International Federation of Journalists (IFJ): ifj.org | [email protected]

Conclusion

The case of Guevara, the Salvadoran journalist arrested while covering the “No Kings” protest, is a powerful example of the risks non-citizen journalists face in the United States 🇺🇸 and around the world. Strict immigration laws, especially the “foreign policy grounds” provision, make it possible for authorities to detain and deport journalists for their reporting. This not only affects the individuals involved but also has a wider impact on press freedom and the public’s right to know.

Advocacy groups, legal experts, and journalists continue to push for reforms to protect non-citizen journalists and ensure that immigration laws are not used to silence critical voices. As this situation develops, it will be important to watch for legal challenges, policy changes, and the ongoing efforts of those working to defend press freedom.

For more information about immigration law and the rights of non-citizen journalists, readers can consult the official U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review website.

Learn Today

Deportation → The formal removal of a non-citizen from a country by government order.
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) → U.S. federal law governing immigration, including rules for admission and deportation.
Asylum → Protection granted to individuals fearing persecution in their home country.
Foreign policy grounds → Immigration provision allowing deportation for actions threatening U.S. foreign relations.
Detention → Holding a person in custody, often by immigration authorities pending legal proceedings.

This Article in a Nutshell

Salvadoran journalist Guevara faces deportation after arrest during a ‘No Kings’ protest. His case highlights risks non-citizen journalists face amid U.S. immigration enforcement, provoking debate over press freedom and immigration laws. Advocacy groups demand reform to protect media rights and ensure due process for detained journalists nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com