Journalist Detained by ICE for Livestreaming Law Enforcement Activity Files for Immediate Release

Strategic Insights -

A prominent Georgia journalist, Mario Guevara, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for over 50 days, despite being granted bond by an immigration judge. Guevara, a dedicated journalist who has been covering immigration and law enforcement activity in the Atlanta area for over 20 years, was arrested while reporting at a "No Kings" rally in June. He was granted bond on July 1 but remains detained, with ICE arguing that he is a danger to the community due to his livestreaming of law enforcement activities. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a habeas petition, arguing that Guevara's continued detention violates the First and Fifth Amendments.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mario Guevara, a Georgia journalist, has been detained by ICE for over 50 days despite being granted bond.
  • Guevara was arrested while reporting at a "No Kings" rally in June and was granted bond on July 1.
  • ICE argues that Guevara is a danger to the community because he livestreams law enforcement activities, which is protected by the First Amendment.
  • The ACLU has filed a habeas petition, arguing that Guevara's continued detention violates the First and Fifth Amendments.
  • Guevara has a pathway to citizenship through a pending petition from his U.S. citizen son and is legally authorized to live and work in the United States.
  • He has been held in isolation at Folkston ICE Processing Center in southeastern Georgia, over four hours away from his family.

Statistics:

  • Guevara has been detained for over 50 days.
  • He was granted bond on July 1 but remains detained.
  • ICE has filed an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals to continue detaining him.
  • Guevara has been held at five different facilities during his detention.

Sources:

  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  • ACLU of Georgia
  • University of Georgia School of Law's First Amendment Clinic
  • Garland, Samuel & Loeb, P.C.
  • Diaz & Gaeta Law, LLC
  • "Journalist Detained by ICE for Livestreaming Law Enforcement Activity Files for Immediate Release," ACLU, August 21, 2022 (original text here: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/journalist-detained-by-ice-for-livestreaming-law-enforcement-activity-files-for-immediate-release)