Nashville journalist released on bond from ICE custody; a legal challenge to her arrest continues

Estefany Rodríguez, a Nashville journalist who reported on local immigration enforcement arrests before she herself was detained, was released Thursday from a Louisiana detention center, according to the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, which is providing legal representation.

Rodríguez spent 16 days in detention, where she was subject to “inhumane and difficult treatment,” her attorneys wrote in court filings earlier this week. 

A legal challenge to Rodríguez’ March 4 arrest remains ongoing in federal court. Her attorneys allege Rodríguez was detained without a warrant and in retaliation for her reporting on local Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests for the Spanish-language news outlet Nashville Noticias. 

“We are grateful that Estefany is able to walk away with her freedom to be with her family as she continues to fight for her right to remain in her community and in the US,” read a statement Thursday by Mike Holley, an attorney with the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition who is representing Rodríguez in federal court. Rodríguez is married and has a seven-year-old daughter.

Nashville journalist arrested by ICE granted bond, remains detained while feds considers appeal

“Through that petition, we are seeking not only her complete release, but an order prohibiting ICE from mistreating her in a similar way in the future,” the statement said. 

Government attorneys allege Rodríguez, 35, overstayed a tourist visa five years ago and has remained in the country illegally since.

Rodríguez flew to Miami from her native Colombia on a tourist visa in 2021, then petitioned for political asylum before the visa expired, her attorneys wrote in court filings. 

Rodríguez’ asylum petition is based on threats she experienced in Colombia reporting on political corruption, her attorneys said. Separately, Rodríguez in January applied for legal permanent residency through her marriage to a U.S. citizen. 

Rodríguez was released on $10,000 bond Thursday. 

Information on other conditions of her’ release, such as whether she is required to wear an ankle monitor or report to immigration officials, wasn’t immediately available Thursday. 

On Tuesday, national and international media groups filed a legal brief in support of Rodríguez, writing the detention of a journalist who had reported critically on ICE activities had a chilling effect on free expression.