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Georgia Journalist arrested in immigration protests released into ICE custody, sheriff’s office says
Georgia Journalist arrested in immigration protests released into ICE custody, sheriff’s office says
Georgia Journalist arrested in immigration protests released into ICE custody, sheriff’s office says

Published on: 06/18/2025

Description

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A Georgia-based journalist arrested Saturday during a protest against immigration raids has been released into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the sheriff’s office and his family.

Wednesday morning, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Salvadorian reporter Mario Guevara was released into ICE custody. His daughter confirms the same. Jail records show he was released just before 3:30 a.m.

Guevara’s attorney stated on Tuesday that he posted a bond on Monday for the local charges he faces, but remained in the DeKalb County Jail on a 48-hour hold by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“If our position is that he didn’t do anything illegal, and the only thing he was doing was documenting the police’s actions, so why was he arrested?” asked Giovanni Diaz, Guevara’s attorney.

Attorneys for a Georgia-based journalist arrested Saturday during a protest against immigration raids in Doraville are demanding his release from ICE custody.

Protesters and law enforcement could be seen clashing on Chamblee Tucker Road near Northcrest Road. DeKalb County police officers, along with their tactical force and the Georgia State Patrol, were on site.

>> WATCH: A livestream from Telemundo Atlanta, WANF’s sister station, showed police tackling protestors and deploying what appears to be tear gas.

Eight people, including Guevara, whom DeKalb authorities deemed had “threatened public safety and disobeyed law enforcement orders,” were arrested.

>> WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW:

Guevara was charged with improperly entering a street as a pedestrian, obstructing law enforcement officers and unlawful assembly.

Guevara was reporting via livestream at the time of the arrest and can be heard telling the arresting officer, “I’m a member of the media.”

His attorneys argue you can see in the video he was complying with officers when he was arrested.

“He was doing something that he’s done for 20 something years, there’s a vast amount of experience that he has dealing with situations like this, and he’s never had any issues. Quite the opposite,” he said.

Early Wednesday morning, Guevara was released, but right into ICE custody. Tuesday night, his attorney Giovanni Diaz said if this happened, they are prepared to fight it and bring him home.

“We’re still getting the bonds, we’re still getting these cases granted, so we’re confident if Mario does end up in the hands of immigration, we will be successful,” Diaz said.

Now, his case will move to federal immigration court for potential deportation proceedings, Diaz says they are working to get him out on bond.

“We used to get them in a day or two. But now, because of how overwhelmed the system is, how overwhelmed detention centers are, how overwhelmed the judges are, sometimes it’s taking them a week or more to schedule these bond hearings,” said Diaz.

Guevara has been covering immigration in the U.S. for more than two decades, according to our sister station, Telemundo Atlanta.

His daughter expressed fear about what the future holds.

“What was really terrifying was the ICE hold because under this administration, we don’t know what this means to us,” shared Katherine Guevara.

His attorney says he was here on a work authorization and is trying to get a green card.

The recent arrest created a nightmare for the family on Father’s Day weekend.

“It was horrible because I’ve always been so close to him,” said Guevara.

“There were many other members of the press, I didn’t count it, I wasn’t there,” said Diaz. “He was the only member of the press arrested.”

“Home doesn’t feel the same without him,” added Guevara. “I want him to be by our side as soon as possible. I want him to know we love him with all of our hearts.”

Diaz’s law firm, Diaz & Gaeta Law, confirmed with Atlanta News First that they are working on getting Guevara a bond hearing to secure his release.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.

News Source : https://www.walb.com/2025/06/17/attorneys-journalist-arrested-during-doraville-immigration-protests-speak-out/

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