Salvadoran Journalist Mario Guevara Deported to El Salvador After Months in ICE Custody

Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara, known for his live-streamed coverage of immigration raids, was deported to his native El Salvador early Friday morning, concluding months of detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) confirmed Guevara’s removal, which follows the Bureau of Immigration Appeals closing his case on September 19 and ordering his expulsion. This action comes despite a last-minute temporary restraining order filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing Guevara, which was rejected by the court earlier this week.

Guevara’s detention began more than three months ago after his arrest while covering an Atlanta-area protest. Despite prosecutors dropping initial criminal charges, the government argued for his continued detention, alleging his live-streaming posed a risk to law enforcement operations. Advocacy groups, including CPJ and ACLU, strongly condemned his prolonged custody, citing concerns over press freedom.

Scarlet Kim, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, & Technology Project, stated, “Journalists should not have to fear government retaliation… for reporting on government activity.” The Board of Immigration Appeals had reopened Guevara’s 13-year-old immigration case, blocking his release on bond, despite a Georgia immigration judge ordering it in July.

Guevara, who entered the US in 2004 and sought asylum in 2005 due to threats over his reporting in El Salvador, was the only known journalist detained by the US government during his custody. His deportation has ignited further debate among press freedom advocates about the treatment of journalists covering sensitive government activities.

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