NHMC Continues to Support Journalist Manuel Duran Ortega's Plea for Asylum

amicus brief supporting journalist Mr. Duran Ortega’s plea for asylum. He is currently challenging his deportation to El Salvador. The circumstances surrounding the journalist’s arrest and detention suggest that it was based primarily on his reporting about how the Memphis Police Department and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were cooperating, despite their public statements to the contrary.

The amicus brief reiterated that (a) Mr. Ortega is entitled to First Amendment protections, including the right to speak freely, and (b) his detention was based on retaliatory and censorial motives from both agencies. In addition, it outlines several ways in which the magistrate judge’s report recommending dismissal of the habeas petition was flawed. Click here to review the amicus brief filed in June 2018. In May 2018, NHMC also joined 25 organizations in a letter to ICE demanding Ortega’s release.

National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a 40+ year old 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities.

We advance Latino visibility and influence from the halls of Washington, D.C., to the studios of Hollywood. Through our media advocacy and workforce development initiatives, NHMC creates spaces where diverse creators can connect, collaborate, and thrive. Our Series Scriptwriters Program, Latinx Stream Showcase, Creators Networking Program, Careers in Entertainment Youth Program, and Media Advocacy Fellowships serve as both incubators and pipelines, preparing the next generation of storytellers, advocates, and industry leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking opportunities, and direct access to entertainment executives, these programs help transform emerging talent into lasting industry voices while expanding authentic representation across media.

We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate in the space of Artificial Intelligence when it intersects with civil & human rights, including making sure Latino-Interest and children’s protections are included in AI initiatives and implementations. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.

NHMC is a not-for-profit, and provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

© 2026 National Hispanic Media Coalition // communications@nhmc.org // o. (626) 792-6462
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram