Colombian journalist Estefany Rodríguez was detained by ICE without a warrant on March 4, 2026, while driving with her U.S. citizen husband, sparking legal challenges over the legality of her arrest.

Journalist Estefany Maria Rodriguez Flores, a Colombian national and Nashville Noticias reporter, was arrested by ICE without a warrant on March 4, 2026, while with her U.S. citizen husband in South Nashville. She was detained over alleged missed immigration appointments, though her legal team says she was misled into believing she didn’t need to attend after being told her case wasn’t active. Rodriguez, who entered the U.S. legally in 2021, has a valid work permit, pending asylum and green card applications, and has reported on armed groups in Colombia that threatened her life. Her attorneys filed an emergency petition in federal court, arguing the detention is unlawful. ICE has not commented. A federal judge has ordered a response by March 6.