After more than two weeks detained by immigration authorities at the Folkston, Georgia detention center, an immigration judge has granted bail for Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara.
The immigration judge granted him a bond that will allow him to face his immigration proceedings at liberty and from the city of Atlanta, where he has lived and worked for years.
Bail for Mario Guevara
The decision was released by his news page MG News on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, after a key hearing in which the legal team of Diaz & Gaeta Law, LLC, a law firm specializing in immigration law, filed a motion for his release on bail.
The judge approved the request, recognizing that Guevara is not a danger to the community or a flight risk, allowing him to continue his case outside the detention center.
Arrest after peaceful protest
Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran reporter with a long career in the media in the Atlanta metropolitan area, was arrested on June 14 during a peaceful protest in the city of Decatur, Georgia, as part of the “No Kings” movement, which opposed the federal government’s immigration measures.
Although all criminal charges against him were dismissed by local DeKalb County authorities, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) decided to keep him in detention on the grounds that his immigration status was not regular.
The news of his arrest sparked outrage among immigrant rights organizations, journalists and community members, who demanded his immediate release.
What does bail mean?
Although the bond represents a partial victory, the deportation process has not yet been cancelled.
Mario Guevara must continue to appear before immigration courts to defend his stay in the country, where he has lived for more than two decades and raised his family.
His attorneys, led by Diaz & Gaeta Law, LLC, continue to work on his defense and will seek to close the case definitively.
The legal strategy could include applying for an immigration benefit such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status or a defense based on constitutional rights, given the journalist’s public profile and the context in which he was detained.
Community support and impact
Several organizations, including the Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and local civil rights groups, have expressed their support for Mario Guevara.
There have also been vigils, social media campaigns and fundraising efforts to cover legal expenses.
The case of Mario Guevara has become a symbol of what many consider a disproportionate use of immigration resources to silence critical voices within vulnerable communities.
His release represents a relief for his family and colleagues, but also a warning about the risks faced by immigrant journalists in the course of their work.
What do other immigrants need to know?
Buzzy
This case highlights the importance of having expert legal representation when facing immigration proceedings.
It also demonstrates that, even when criminal charges are dropped, ICE can continue with immigration proceedings if it believes that a person does not have regular status.
Immigrants should know their rights, keep copies of all documents, avoid signing papers without understanding their contents, and seek immediate legal assistance in case of arrest.
Law firms such as Diaz & Gaeta Law, LLC offer specialized resources and advocacy for those facing similar situations.
