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Stand with Mario Guevara
Friend,
The abuse of power from this reckless FCC and the capitulation from greedy media corporations is hardly surprising. Jimmy Kimmel’s temporary ouster caught global attention for being such a blatant case of government censorship. But while justified outrage for Kimmel dominated the news cycle, the Trump administration’s broader assault on free speech is essential for us to challenge. Case in point: the persecution of a Spanish-language reporter.
Emmy-winning journalist Mario Guevara was taken into custody while covering a June 14 No Kings Day protest in the Atlanta area. He remains in ICE detention even though all charges against him were dropped.1 It has now been more than 100 days since he was taken. Guevara was known for frequently filming ICE and law-enforcement raids, and now these zealous white nationalists seek to make an example of him.
Guevara is the only journalist in U.S. custody and targeted for his reporting. In 2004, he entered the United States from El Salvador, where he was politically persecuted. He has been in the United States legally on a visa and has been on a path to obtaining his green card. But immigration status means nothing if this president dislikes your skin color and your political values. And now, Guevara faces imminent deportation.
Sign our open letter calling for the immediate release of Mario Guevara from ICE custody. *One click on the link or button will instantly add your name to our letter if we have your details on file.*
The government’s prolonged detention and threatened deportation of Mario Guevara sends a chilling message to all journalists and residents who record law enforcement, document government activities and seek to report the truth. This is a blatant attack on the First Amendment and press freedom.
We, the undersigned press-freedom, civil- and human-rights advocates; First Amendment experts; and concerned community members, call for the immediate release of journalist Mario Guevara from ICE custody.
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Mario Guevara’s only transgression was the courage to say and do something the Trump administration dislikes: Speak truth to power.
Whether it’s through comedy that provokes and entertains audiences or local livestreaming of protests, our media is an essential defense against the rising authoritarian takeover.
If it’s Mario Guevara’s detention today, it may be one of us tomorrow. That makes it all the more incumbent on everyday people, on journalists, on lawyers, on lawmakers and other leaders to stand up for something better. Mario must be set free.
In solidarity,
Nora and the rest of us at Free Press
1. “Journalist Mario Guevara Still Faces Deportation Even After Charges Were Dropped Against Him,” Democracy Now!, July 21, 2025
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