The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is urgently seeking emergency relief to halt the deportation of Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara, who risks being deported imminently following a recent decision by the US Board of Immigration Appeals to terminate his bond proceedings. Guevara was initially detained during a June anti-Trump protest in Georgia for livestreaming immigration officials and law enforcement activities.

Despite the dismissal of state charges against him in July—including unlawful assembly and obstruction of a law enforcement officer—Guevara has continued to remain in ICE custody. He was accused by ICE lawyers of compromising the safety of undercover officers through his filming. ICE contends that Guevara, who entered the US in 2004, is in the country unlawfully. However, the ACLU counters this claim, asserting that Guevara entered legally on a B-1 visa and qualifies for permanent residency via his son.

Guevara's removal proceedings, which started in 2007, were previously closed by the BIA in 2012, allowing him to stay in the US. However, the recent BIA ruling has reinstated a prior removal order, labeling it as final.

The journalist's legal battle continues in federal court, where his attorneys have lodged an emergency motion to stay his deportation. This case unfolds under the broader context of ongoing criticisms against President Donald Trump's stringent immigration policies, which are said to often bypass due process protections.

Internationally, the issue of US immigration enforcement has drawn scrutiny. South Korea began probing alleged rights violations after over 300 of its nationals were detained at a Georgia battery plant. Simultaneously, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has demanded greater transparency from ICE following an incident where a man was shot by ICE agents during a traffic stop.

In a related development, California has passed legislation prohibiting local and federal law enforcement from wearing face coverings during operations, a move yet to be tested in court.

As the ACLU pushes forward with its efforts to protect Guevara, the global community watches closely, highlighting the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and human rights in the United States.