Mario Guevara, a former journalist now living in Atlanta, is Facing Expulsion. An immigration appeals court has recently ruled that he be deported. The court had ordered Guevara removed. He’s now spent more than three months in the Folkston ICE Processing Center, an isolated detention center in south Georgia. Hopefully this ruling is the death knell for the dangerous precedent this lengthy legal dispute has established. It all traces back to 2012 when Guevara’s asylum claim was rejected.
Guevara’s case gained national attention after his dramatic arrest at a “No Kings Day” protest over Guevara’s arrest in June. His local police department charged him with disorderly conduct by failure to disperse and being in the roadway. After his arrest, he came into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After this incident, fears for his legal status and safety have grown to alarming levels.
The immigration court’s recent ruling to terminate Guevara’s case has put him at risk of immediate deportation. His attorney Giovanni Diaz has told us he’s been gravely disappointed by the ruling and the impact it has on Guevara moving forward. Even with a pending application for a green card and a work permit in hand, Guevara’s legal options seem bleak.
Guevara has been in the United States for over 20 years. In the time since, he has created a productive and vibrant life as a writer, activist, entrepreneur. His experiences and contributions to the community have highlighted the complexities of immigration laws and their impact on individuals seeking refuge or a better life in the country.
The immigration appeals court was also the first entity to shut Guevara’s deportation proceedings down last year. This latest decision has reopened the case, raising further questions about the process’ integrity and fairness. The situation reflects ongoing challenges faced by many individuals in similar circumstances, particularly those who have been living and working in the U.S. for extended periods.