Key Takeaways
• Mario Guevara was arrested on June 14, 2025, during a DeKalb County protest covering live news.
• ICE transferred Guevara on June 17, initiating deportation proceedings despite his pending residency application.
• New Gwinnett County charges on June 19 complicate his legal and immigration status in the U.S.
Mario Guevara, a well-known Spanish-language journalist in metro Atlanta, was arrested on June 14, 2025, during a protest in DeKalb County, Georgia. He was covering the event live when police detained him on several charges. Three days later, he was transferred from the DeKalb County jail to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where he now faces deportation proceedings. Guevara’s case has sparked strong reactions from immigration activists, legal experts, and lawmakers, raising important questions about press freedom, immigration enforcement, and the rights of journalists in the United States 🇺🇸.
Who Is Mario Guevara and What Happened?

Mario Guevara is an independent journalist who has spent years reporting on immigration issues in the Atlanta area. He is especially known for his coverage of immigration raids and protests, often sharing live updates with his large Spanish-speaking audience. Guevara’s journey to the United States 🇺🇸 began about two decades ago when he fled El Salvador to escape violence and build a new life.
On June 14, 2025, Guevara was at a protest in DeKalb County, livestreaming the event and wearing a vest clearly marked “PRESS.” The protest was against policies of the Trump administration, which has been known for strict immigration enforcement. During the protest, police arrested Guevara, charging him with obstructing police, unlawful assembly, and improperly entering a roadway. Video footage from the scene shows Guevara identifying himself as a journalist, but police proceeded with the arrest.
After spending two days in the DeKalb County jail, Guevara was granted bond by a judge on June 16, 2025. However, instead of being released, he was held for an additional 48 hours due to an ICE hold—a request from federal immigration authorities to keep him in custody. On June 17, 2025, he was transferred to ICE custody, where he remains as his case moves through immigration court.
Why Is This Case Important?
Guevara’s arrest and detention have drawn attention for several reasons:
- Press Freedom Concerns: Many see his arrest as a threat to journalists, especially those covering immigration and protest activities. Immigration activists argue that detaining a journalist for doing his job could discourage others from reporting on similar issues.
- Immigration Enforcement: The case highlights how local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities work together, especially when someone faces both criminal and immigration charges.
- Legal Status and Residency: Guevara’s attorney, Giovanni Diaz, says that Guevara has legal permission to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸 and has a pending application for permanent residency. However, criminal charges and ICE detention could put his future in the country at risk.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of Guevara’s Case
To understand the complexity of Guevara’s situation, it helps to look at the steps that have unfolded so far:
- Arrest at Protest: On June 14, 2025, DeKalb County police arrested Guevara during a protest. He was charged with several offenses related to the protest.
- Jail and Bond: Guevara was held in the DeKalb County jail. On June 16, 2025, a judge granted him bond, which usually means he could be released while waiting for his court date.
- ICE Hold and Transfer: Despite the bond, ICE placed a hold on Guevara, keeping him in jail for an extra 48 hours. On June 17, 2025, he was transferred to ICE custody.
- New Charges: On June 19, 2025, additional criminal charges were filed against Guevara in Gwinnett County, adding more complications to his legal situation.
- Immigration Court: Guevara’s case will now be heard in immigration court, where a judge will decide if he can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or if he will be deported.
- Legal Defense and Advocacy: Guevara’s attorney and immigration activists are working to secure his release and challenge the charges against him.
Legal and Immigration Context
What Is an ICE Hold?
An ICE hold, also known as an immigration detainer, is a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to a local jail or law enforcement agency. It asks the agency to keep someone in custody for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released, so ICE can take them into federal custody. This practice is controversial because it can keep people in jail even after a judge has granted them bond.
How Do Criminal Charges Affect Immigration Status?
When someone who is not a U.S. citizen faces criminal charges, it can have serious effects on their immigration status. Even if a person has legal permission to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸, criminal charges—especially those related to public safety or violence—can lead to deportation. In Guevara’s case, his pending application for permanent residency could be at risk if the charges are not resolved in his favor.
What Happens in Immigration Court?
Immigration court is where a judge decides if someone can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or must leave. The process can take weeks or months, and the outcome depends on many factors, including the person’s legal status, the nature of any criminal charges, and whether they have a strong case for staying in the country. Guevara’s attorney, Giovanni Diaz, argues that Guevara was simply doing his job as a journalist and did not break any laws during the protest.
For more information about immigration court and removal proceedings, readers can visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review.
Stakeholders and Their Perspectives
Mario Guevara
Guevara is not just a journalist; he is also an immigrant who has built a life and career in the United States 🇺🇸. His reporting has focused on the experiences of immigrant communities, and he has become a trusted voice for many Spanish-speaking residents in Atlanta.
Giovanni Diaz (Attorney)
Guevara’s lawyer, Giovanni Diaz, is fighting for his client’s release. Diaz says that Guevara was performing legitimate journalistic duties at the protest and that his legal status should protect him from deportation. Diaz also points out that Guevara’s pending application for permanent residency should be considered by the immigration court.
Local Police and ICE
Police in DeKalb County arrested Guevara based on his actions during the protest, not his profession as a journalist. ICE, for its part, is following standard procedures by detaining Guevara and starting deportation proceedings. ICE spokesman Lindsay Williams confirmed that Guevara’s case will be decided in immigration court.
Immigration Activists
Activists have rallied around Guevara, demanding his release and warning that his detention could have a chilling effect on press freedom. They argue that targeting a journalist for covering a protest sends a dangerous message to others who report on immigration enforcement.
Lawmakers
Some lawmakers at the local and possibly national level have responded to Guevara’s case, though specific statements were not included in the available sources. The case has brought attention to the intersection of immigration enforcement and press rights, with many calling for greater protections for journalists.
Policy Implications and Broader Impact
Guevara’s case is about more than one person; it raises important questions about how the United States 🇺🇸 treats journalists, especially those who cover sensitive topics like immigration enforcement. Here are some of the broader issues at play:
- Press Freedom: Arresting and detaining journalists for covering protests can discourage others from reporting on important issues, especially in immigrant communities.
- Immigration Enforcement: The cooperation between local police and ICE means that people arrested for minor offenses can end up facing deportation, even if they have legal status or are waiting for their residency applications to be approved.
- Legal Uncertainty: Pending applications for permanent residency can be put at risk by criminal charges, making it harder for immigrants to feel secure in their status.
- ICE Holds: The use of ICE holds after a judge grants bond shows how federal immigration authorities can override local judicial decisions, keeping people in custody longer than they might otherwise be held.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, cases like Guevara’s highlight the need for clear policies that protect both press freedom and the rights of immigrants, especially when these two areas overlap.
Historical and Political Context
Guevara’s arrest comes at a time of heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Policies have focused on strict border control and increased cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. Critics say these policies have targeted immigrant communities and those who report on them, leading to fear and uncertainty.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of the press, but legal experts note that these protections can become complicated when journalists are arrested during protests. Immigration law specialists also point out that even minor criminal charges can have serious consequences for non-citizens, especially when ICE becomes involved.
What’s Next for Mario Guevara?
Guevara’s future in the United States 🇺🇸 now depends on the outcome of his immigration court case. The new criminal charges filed in Gwinnett County add another layer of difficulty, as any conviction could make it harder for him to stay in the country. Advocacy groups are likely to keep up the pressure, calling for his release and for greater protections for journalists.
The case could also influence future policies about how journalists are treated when covering protests and immigration enforcement. Lawmakers and advocacy groups may push for changes to ensure that journalists are not targeted simply for doing their jobs.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Journalists
If you are an immigrant journalist or someone covering protests and immigration enforcement, here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Know Your Rights: Journalists have the right to report on public events, but it’s important to follow all local laws and instructions from police.
- Legal Status Matters: If you are not a U.S. citizen, even minor criminal charges can affect your immigration status. Always carry proof of your legal status and consult with an immigration attorney if you are arrested.
- ICE Holds: If you are granted bond but face an ICE hold, you may be kept in custody longer. Your attorney can help you understand your options and fight for your release.
- Permanent Residency Applications: Pending applications can be affected by criminal charges. Keep your attorney informed about any legal issues that arise.
For official information about ICE detention and case status, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Mario Guevara’s case is a powerful example of how immigration enforcement, criminal charges, and press freedom can collide. His arrest and detention have raised serious questions about the rights of journalists, the power of ICE, and the security of immigrants with pending residency applications. As his case moves through the courts, it will be watched closely by activists, legal experts, and policymakers.
For those concerned about similar issues, staying informed and seeking legal advice is essential. Advocacy groups and legal professionals can provide support and guidance. The outcome of Guevara’s case could shape future policies and protections for journalists and immigrants across the United States 🇺🇸.
Readers who want to follow updates on this case or learn more about their rights can check official government resources and trusted news outlets. The story of Mario Guevara is not just about one man—it’s about the ongoing struggle to balance public safety, press freedom, and the rights of immigrants in a changing America.
Learn Today
ICE Hold → A federal request to keep an individual detained up to 48 hours after local release.
Permanent Residency → Legal authorization to live and work indefinitely in the United States as a resident.
Immigration Court → Federal court where judges determine deportation or residency eligibility for immigrants.
Press Freedom → The right of journalists to report news without censorship or unjust legal penalties.
Deportation Proceedings → Legal process to remove a non-citizen from the United States due to violations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Journalist Mario Guevara was arrested during a DeKalb protest and detained by ICE, raising concerns about press freedom amidst strict immigration enforcement policies and his pending legal residency process in the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com