Guevara has a work immigration authorization permit, but does not have legal immigration status to remain in the U.S., he is now facing possible deportation to El Salvador after being criminally charged with several misdemeanors in DeKalb County.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
June 18, 2025
DeKalb County, Georgia - On Wednesday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) took Mario Alexander Guevara, 47, into custody after being criminally charged with several misdemeanors in DeKalb County.
Last Saturday, Guevara, originally from El Salvador and the owner of MG News in the Atlanta area was taken into custody by Doraville police on June 14, 2025, along with 8 other individuals at a No Kings Day protest. Guevara was charged with pedestrian improperly entering roadway, and two misdemeanor counts for obstruction of law enforcement officers and unlawful assembly, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/IlGNu7vyQN8
If convicted, Guevara is facing cash forfeiture for pedestrian improperly entering roadway, and facing up to 12 months in jail for obstruction of law enforcement officers, and up to 12 months in jail for unlawful assembly.
Guevara's bond was set as a signature bond and was scheduled to be released, but USICE placed a hold detainer for Guevara, which remained in custody.
Guevara apparently had apply for U.S. permanent resident with immigration services through his son who is a U.S. citizen.
According to USICE, Guevara overstayed his visa, and in 2012, an immigration judge ordered Guevara to self-deport, which Guevara continued his attempt to remain in the U.S..
Guevara could now face a possible revocation of his pending application for U.S. permanent residence, if convicted of the current misdemeanor charges and could be deported to El Salvador, according to USICE.
Guevara's criminal defense attorney, Zachary Gacta of Diaz & Gaeta, issued the following statement, "We are aware that Mr. Guevara has been transported into ICE custody. The attorneys Diaz & Gaeta are actively preparing an immigration court bond motion on his behalf and seeking a court date as soon as possible. We have also spoken to prosecutors at DeKalb County Solicitor General's Office requesting that the state court charges be dismissed immediately. We are not giving up until Mr. Guevara is released."
Update: USDHS on June 20, 2025 released the following statement on their X account (formerly Twitter), FALSE. Accusations that Mario Guevara was arrested by ICE because he is a journalist are completely untrue.
Mario Guevera was arrested by Dekalb County, Georgia police for willful obstruction after he refused to comply with local police orders to move out of the middle of the street. Following his arrest by local authorities, ICE placed a detainer on him. Following his release, he was turned over to ICE custody and has been placed in removal proceedings.
This El Salvador national is in ICE custody because he entered the country illegally in 2004.
Also a warrant has been issued on June 17, 2025 in Gwinnett County in connection with Mario Alexander Guevara committing multiple traffic violations on May 20. Guevara is facing charges in Gwinnett County for following law enforcement vehicles through Norcross neighborhoods. An arrest warrant was issued for Guevara in Gwinnett County for the following charges, reckless driving, distractive driving, failure of obey a traffic control device, while the unlawful use of a telecommunications device while driving.
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