A Spanish journalist has been in custody for over a week, despite a judge granting him bond. Mario Guevara, who founded MG News, faces charges for allegedly participating in unlawful gatherings, obstructing police, and charges related to road incidents after filming a protest against immigration enforcement in the Atlanta area on June 14.
Guevara, age 47, has been moved between three different detention facilities as of July 1, even after immigration judge James Ward approved a bond for him. His family attempted to pay a $7,500 bond three times, both online and in person, but each effort was rejected, according to reports.
DeKalb County Attorney Donna Coleman-Striveling also dismissed three allegations made by police on June 25. She noted that while there were potential reasons for Guevara’s arrest, the evidence wasn’t sufficient for prosecution.
Still, Guevara was transferred from jails in Gwinnett and Floyd counties to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Atlanta. His lawyer, Giovanni Diaz, expressed concern, stating, “None of these are normal.” Initially, Guevara was detained in Gwinnett for a traffic violation, but after paying his bond, he was released on the same day. However, officials from Floyd County then took him into custody on immigration charges, as part of a federal agreement.
Diaz mentioned that ICE is currently challenging Guevara’s release with the Immigration Appeals Committee, requesting that the bond approval be delayed until a new decision is reached.
During the June protest, Guevara was on a sidewalk filming when approached by police, clearly identifying himself as press with a visible sign. “Video evidence shows Guevara was generally compliant and didn’t appear to disregard police instructions at the time of his arrest,” noted Coleman-Striveling’s office in a press release.
However, ICE representatives claim Guevara was in the U.S. illegally and not following law enforcement orders. “On June 14, Mario Guevara, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested for obstructing police after allegedly refusing to move from the street,” a spokesperson stated. Following the local police’s action, ICE took custody of him due to his immigration status.
Diaz asserts Guevara is allowed to live and work in the U.S. while waiting for a green card that his adult son, a U.S. citizen, is sponsoring.
