Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara, recognized for his work in defense of the migrant community in Georgia, was arrested on June 14, 2025 while covering a protest in DeKalb County.
Since then, he has faced a series of situations that have put his personal integrity at risk. In a message shared on his news channel MGNewsGuevara denounced having been the victim of threats and extortion during his time in custody.
Allegations and context of Mario Guevara’s detention
Due to these incidents, and thanks to the quick intervention of his lawyers, he was transferred urgently to the Folkston Detention Center, located in the southern part of the state, under the supervision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “I was in two county jails and a federal prison. I was even a victim of threats and extortion,” the reporter stated.
Although authorities have not issued a formal statement on the specific charges Guevara faces, he has linked his arrest to his work as a communicator.
For years, he has documented ICE operations, worker marches, labor complaints and live broadcasts of community events that directly affect the Hispanic population in Georgia.
“I am aware that I am in for a long legal battle, all for having worked diligently to shape my community,” Guevara said.
Family impact and fundraising campaign
The journalist’s arrest has had a strong emotional and economic impact on his family.
His son Óscar Guevara shared through the GoFundMe platform the difficult time they are going through. “My dad is our main provider. His prolonged detention is affecting us both emotionally and economically,” he explained.
Oscar also highlighted the trajectory of his father, who has been an important figure in the local Hispanic community for his dedication to information and social denunciation.
“Today, I ask that same community that he has always supported to now support him,” he wrote, asking for donations to cover legal and living expenses as they face the court process.
Concern for press freedom and civil rights
Several press freedom and immigrant rights organizations have begun to speak out about the case, expressing concern about what they see as a possible retaliation against a journalist for his public denunciation work.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Voces de la Frontera have called for a review of the legal process facing Guevara and questioned the conditions of his detention.
His situation has also raised alarms about the use of immigration detention as an indirect mechanism to silence critical voices, something that is of particular concern to the Hispanic community in the United States.
Les pido que sigan orando por mí y por mi familia. De todo corazón, les doy las gracias por su apoyo
What’s next for Mario Guevara?
Guevara enfrenta ahora una larga batalla legal que podría determinar su permanencia en el país.
El proceso en custodia de ICE puede durar semanas o incluso meses, dependiendo del curso que tomen las audiencias migratorias.
Mientras tanto, su familia y comunidad continúan exigiendo su liberación, considerando que su arresto tiene un trasfondo político y represivo más que legal.
Para muchos hispanos en EE.UU., el caso de Mario Guevara representa no solo una injusticia individual, sino un llamado de alerta sobre el derecho a informar, la libertad de expresión y el trato que reciben los periodistas inmigrantes en contextos de alta tensión política y migratoria.
Para apoyar a Mario Guevara y a su familia, se ha habilitado una campaña de recaudación en GoFundMe bajo el nombre “Libertad para Mario Guevara”, donde se puede contribuir con donaciones y compartir el caso en redes sociales.
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