(ATLANTA, GEORGIA) The family of Emmy-winning journalist Mario Guevara will speak at a press conference on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as they fight a pending deportation order that could send him to El Salvador at any time. Guevara, a longtime Atlanta resident known for reporting on immigration and law enforcement, has been in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for more than 100 days after his arrest while covering a June 14 protest.
Local charges were dropped, but ICE kept him detained and later moved him through several detention centers, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU Georgia. His attorneys say the custody and transfers have continued despite a prior immigration judge’s decision to release him on bond.
Case developments and legal actions
Guevara’s case took a sharp turn when the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) reopened his 13-year-old immigration matter and ordered his removal, upending an earlier decision by an immigration judge who had ordered him released on bond on July 1.
- ICE declined to release him after the July 1 bond order.
- The BIA later denied bond and reopened the old case; his attorneys say this move rendered the bond ruling moot and left Guevara at risk of removal “at any moment.”
On Monday, the ACLU, ACLU Georgia, and the University of Georgia School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic said the press event will feature Guevara’s children, Katherine and Oscar, along with attorneys Scarlet Kim and Andres Lopez Delgado, and Clare R. Norins of the First Amendment Clinic.
They plan to:
- Call for his release
- Condemn what they describe as retaliation for his journalism
- Focus public attention on the wider stakes for press freedom and immigrant rights
Background: why Guevara fled and his U.S. ties
Guevara fled El Salvador more than two decades ago after threats tied to his reporting. He has lived in the Atlanta area for 21 years and has a valid work permit.
- His attorneys say he has a path to lawful residency through his U.S. citizen son, but the BIA’s recent decision and the current deportation order have pushed that possibility out of reach while the case is in flux.
- They argue he should be home with his family while the courts review his situation.
Emergency federal petition and deadlines
The legal team has filed a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) in federal court to stop any removal while the case proceeds.
- The court set an October 3 deadline for ICE, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Attorney General Pam Bondi to respond.
- Advocates warn the risk remains high until the court acts because ICE retains custody and the BIA’s action is in place.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, emergency court orders in removal cases are time-sensitive, and any delay can lead to swift deportations once travel documents are ready.
“This looks and feels like punishment for his journalism,” supporters contend, stressing that the message to reporters—especially immigrant reporters—could be chilling.
Allegations of retaliation and press freedom concerns
The ACLU and its partners say Guevara’s detention and the deportation order are acts of retaliation tied to his reporting on law enforcement and immigration enforcement activities. They point out:
- He was working as a journalist when arrested at the June 14 protest.
- Criminal charges were later dropped.
National journalism groups have echoed these warnings. The Committee to Protect Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists have condemned the deportation order and warned it could discourage reporters from covering police activity and immigration enforcement, especially when those stories touch angry or powerful interests.
- “If they can deport Mario for doing his job, others may decide not to show up,” one advocate said, arguing that the public loses when reporting is silenced by fear.
Press event and legal timeline
- Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
- Speakers: Guevara’s children, Katherine and Oscar; ACLU attorneys Scarlet Kim and Andres Lopez Delgado; Clare R. Norins of the University of Georgia School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic; and other advocates
- Goal: Demand release, denounce perceived retaliation, and urge immediate court protection against removal
Court filings show Guevara’s team is seeking emergency relief to halt deportation while courts review claims tied to press freedom and due process.
- If the court grants a TRO, it would pause any removal and allow time to argue the merits.
- If it does not, Guevara’s lawyers say he could be deported soon after.
The BIA’s involvement has raised questions about process and timing. The Board of Immigration Appeals reviews decisions made by immigration judges and can order removal in certain circumstances. Guevara’s attorneys argue:
- The reopening of a 13-year-old case and the denial of bond were unexpected and harsh, especially after a judge ordered release.
- ICE’s refusal to honor the bond before the BIA acted is another point of dispute.
Wider stakes for press freedom and immigrant communities
Supporters say this case is not only about one person. Key concerns include:
- Immigrant journalists and community reporters may face extra risk when covering protests, police, or federal enforcement if they lack citizenship.
- Community members who rely on Spanish-language and immigrant-focused outlets could lose a trusted voice if a reporter is removed.
- Civil rights groups and press advocates see a pattern of pressure on reporters who investigate government conduct.
For families, the human cost is intense. Guevara’s children plan to speak about the last three months, visits to detention centers, and the strain of not knowing whether their father will be sent away.
- His attorneys say he has complied with government rules for years, kept a valid work permit, and built a strong life in the United States.
- They argue that keeping him detained through transfers and denying bond, despite dropped criminal charges, is unfair and unnecessary.
Practical advice for affected communities
From a policy and practical view, the case highlights how immigration enforcement and appellate rulings can upend lives quickly. Advocates recommend:
- Seek legal advice early if facing detention or if old cases may be reopened.
- Prepare documentation and keep it accessible.
- Know your loved one’s A-number and stay in close contact with counsel in case of sudden transfers.
What’s next
As the press conference approaches, attention is turning to ACLU Georgia and its partners, who plan to press officials to release Guevara while the court considers emergency relief.
- The coalition argues that free press principles should weigh heavily in any decision to detain a journalist.
- The broader community has a right to hear from reporters like Guevara who document how policies affect everyday people.
Whether the court blocks removal before the October 3 deadline could decide the next chapter:
- If a stay is granted, Guevara would remain in the United States while his legal claims proceed.
- If not, the deportation order could be carried out, and his family’s public pleas may become a record of last efforts to keep him home while the case moves through the system.
This Article in a Nutshell
Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning journalist and longtime Atlanta resident, has been held by ICE for more than 100 days after his arrest while reporting a June 14 protest. Local charges were dropped, and an immigration judge ordered his release on bond on July 1, but ICE kept him detained. The Board of Immigration Appeals unexpectedly reopened a 13-year-old immigration matter, denied bond and ordered his removal, raising the immediate risk of deportation. The ACLU, ACLU Georgia and the University of Georgia First Amendment Clinic filed a federal petition seeking a temporary restraining order; the court set an October 3 deadline for responses. Guevara’s family will hold a press conference on September 23 to demand his release and warn of chilling effects on immigrant journalists and press freedom.
