On Monday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) renewed its demand for the immediate release of Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran journalist detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite a federal immigration judge’s ruling on July 1 ordering Guevara’s release on a $7,500 bail, he remains confined at the Folkston ICE Processing Center. CPJ’s call highlights ICE’s failure to adhere to the court order as a troubling development in this ongoing case.
Mario Guevara, known for his reporting on immigration issues, was arrested by local police on June 14 while covering a protest. Although he had valid work authorization and no criminal charges related to his journalistic activities, he was transferred to ICE custody. His detention has stirred concerns in the media community, particularly after CPJ pointed out that First Amendment-related charges against him were dropped on June 25. Nonetheless, ICE has continued to deny his release.
Katherine Jacobsen, CPJ’s US, Canada, and Caribbean Program Coordinator, emphasized the implications of Guevara’s detention. By continuing to detain Guevara, ICE is sending out a cautionary signal to immigrant journalists that legal status and judicial orders may not protect them from repercussions or extended detention. The CPJ regards this as a direct threat to press freedom and has called for a transparent review of ICE’s practices, which appear to undermine it.
In light of these developments, the CPJ has expressed profound disapproval of ICE’s refusal to comply with judicial rulings. Through its briefing, CPJ has criticized ICE for potentially intimidating immigrant journalists and newsrooms that tackle sensitive topics, thereby stifling dissenting or critical reporting. The full article detailing these events can be read on JURIST.