On Monday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) intensified its call for the immediate release of Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran journalist detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite a court order sanctioning his release on bail. Guevara, a seasoned Spanish-language reporter, was arrested while covering a protest last month and remains in custody at the Folkston ICE Processing Center.

This demand from CPJ comes in the wake of a July 1 ruling by a federal immigration judge, who set a $7,500 bail for Guevara, explicitly ordering his release. However, ICE has not complied with this order, prompting severe criticism from journalistic and human rights groups.

Katherine Jacobsen, the CPJ's coordinator for the US, Canada, and the Caribbean, expressed concern over ICE's actions, stating that they effectively silence a reporter who has legally resided and worked in the United States for nearly two decades. “By continuing to detain Mr. Guevara, ICE not only undermines his individual rights but also sends a chilling message to immigrant journalists and newsrooms across the nation that adherence to legal processes and court orders may not protect them from undue retaliation or detention,” Jacobsen noted.

Guevara, who has no criminal record and possesses valid work authorization, was initially arrested by local police on June 14 and subsequently handed over to ICE. His arrest and continued detention have been widely viewed as being linked to his journalistic activities, especially since charges related to his reporting were dropped on June 25. Still, ICE has refused his release on bail, leading to accusations of violating his First Amendment rights.

The implications of Guevara’s detention extend beyond his personal case, touching on broader issues of press freedom and the treatment of immigrant journalists. His work has predominantly covered immigration enforcement and community issues in Georgia, highlighting the potential retaliatory nature of his detention given his reporting focus.

CPJ has called for a transparent review of ICE practices, emphasizing the safeguarding of press freedoms and the importance of adhering to judicial decisions. As the situation develops, the journalistic community and advocates for free speech continue to watch closely, hoping for a resolution that upholds the fundamental rights of journalists and the rule of law.