CPJ, Free Press lead call for journalist Mario Guevara’s release from ICE detention

The Committee to Protect Journalists and Free Press led a coalition of 28 local and national press freedom, civil rights, human rights, and First Amendment organizations in a joint statement calling for journalist Mario Guevara’s immediate release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after 100 days in detention since his June 14 arrest.

An Emmy-winning, Spanish-language reporter who covers immigration, Guevara faces imminent deportation back to his native El Salvador after the Board of Immigration Appeals on September 19 re-opened his 13-year-old immigration case, dismissing the government’s appeal of a July 1 judge’s order to release him on bond. In an emergency hearing on Friday on a previous habeas petition filed by ACLU, a judge requested both sides file briefs with additional information.

Guevara was arrested after livestreaming an Atlanta metro area “No Kings” protest against the Trump administration’s policies, and the federal government has argued to continue Guevara’s detention on grounds that his filming of law enforcement activities created a risk to public safety. The joint statement condemns Guevara’s continued detention as a “blatant attack on the First Amendment and press freedom” and calls for his immediate release without delay.

Read the full statement here.