Family of Ga. Spanish-language journalist speaks of possible deportation

ATLANTA, Ga. - The family of a Spanish-language journalist who has been in ICE custody for months spoke to Atlanta News First on Saturday after a report suggested he could be deported.

According to the ACLU, Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran journalist who lives in Georgia, is facing deportation and could board an immigration plane at any moment.

This comes after an emergency hearing was held Friday evening by the Board of Immigration Appeals, when it was announced that a 13-year-old deportation order was found in his file.

“Today, an immigration agency that takes orders from the Trump administration reversed 13 years of legal proceedings to unilaterally deport journalist Mario Guevara,” said McLaurin. “This is yet another example of the Trump administration’s pervasive attempts to stifle journalists and media from doing honest reporting or speaking unfavorably about the administration. This is one of the most dangerous periods for free speech in American history.”

After the hearing, an ACLU spokesperson told Atlanta News First more legal briefs will be filed in the coming days, but Guevara is still at risk of being sent back to El Salvador.

No decisions were actually made during the hearing, but the findings open up the possibility of an immediate and sudden removal of Guevara.

His family says that the results of the hearing were shocking, but not surprising.

“It’s so bad that I’m, automatically, that I’m kind of expecting the worst out of every situation,” state Sen. Josh McLaurin said. “So, honestly, this didn’t come as a surprise.”

The board also declined to release Guevara on bond.