Hispanic journalist arrested during metro Atlanta protests in ICE custody

Arrested reporter no longer at DeKalb County Jail

An El Salvador-born reporter arrested during a protest over the weekend in metro Atlanta is no longer in custody at the DeKalb County Jail, records show.

SMYRNA, Ga. - Attorneys for a Hispanic journalist detained during a protest Saturday in Doraville say they're worried about what's to come.

What we know:

Mario Guevara was arrested on charges of obstruction of law enforcement officers, walking improperly in a roadway, and unlawful assembly.

Guevara’s attorneys held a news conference Tuesday evening and said their client didn't break any laws during the protest.

They said video captured on his Facebook shows he complied with orders from officers. 

Related: Hispanic journalist Mario Guevara arrested during protest detained by ICE

Guevara was given bond Monday. Records show that he is no longer being held in the DeKalb County Jail on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer. Officials have now confirmed with FOX 5 that he was moved to ICE custody. 

Authorties have not said where Guevara is currently being held.

What they're saying:

"What the detainer does. It allows that jurisdiction to hold the person for an additional 48 hours," said Giovanni Diaz, Guevara's attorney.

Diaz said if ICE didn't pick up the journalist by Wednesday afternoon, DeKalb police would have had to let him go.

The El Salvador native has hundreds of thousands of online followers for his reports. His attorney says he was here on a work authorization and is trying to get a green card.

Guevara worked for several news outlets around Atlanta before launching his own last year. He won an Emmy Award in 2023 for his coverage of issues in Atlanta. 

"We're just hoping for the best, trusting in God at this point," said Katherine Guevara, Guevara's daughter.