Spanish Reporter Sues Trump Administration Over Detention

A Spanish journalist, Mario Guevara, has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, asserting that his detention earlier this year was unconstitutional.

Guevara, 47, was arrested near Atlanta on June 14 while covering a protest titled “No Kings.” He is well-known for his reporting on immigration issues as the founder of MG News.

The DeKalb County judge dismissed charges against him related to the protest on June 25, which involved allegations of illegal assembly and police obstruction. Despite this, Guevara remains in federal custody.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that Guevara was in the country illegally, even though he has been allowed to work for the past two months and was given permission to remain in the U.S.

Delays in Guevara’s release have been exacerbated by appeals from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding his bond.

In a letter last week, several press organizations urged DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to expedite Guevara’s release on bond. “Every day Mario Guevara remains in custody sends a stark message that our freedoms are conditional,” stated Nora Benavidez, Senior Advisor to the Free Press.

Benavidez expressed concern for Guevara’s children, who have been without their father for two months. “If individuals like Guevara are seen as threats, it reflects more on society than on him,” she added.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia also emphasized the implications of Guevara’s situation, warning that it sends a chilling message to other journalists, particularly those who are not U.S. citizens. “We urge the court to lift this unjust restriction on the press and order Guevara’s immediate release,” said an ACLU representative.