Spanish-Language News Reporter Arrested by US Immigration Authorities in Tennessee

Estefany Rodriguez Florez, a reporter for Nashville Noticias, was detained during a traffic stop without a warrant, her lawyer claims.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A reporter for a Spanish-language news outlet in Tennessee, Estefany Rodriguez Florez, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Rodriguez, a Colombian citizen who has been living in the U.S. for five years with a valid work permit, was arrested during a traffic stop this week. Her lawyer says she was not shown a warrant at the time of her arrest.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about the treatment of journalists, particularly those covering immigration issues, and whether proper procedures were followed in Rodriguez's arrest. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and press freedom.

The details

According to court documents, Rodriguez was arrested on Wednesday while driving a marked Nashville Noticias vehicle with her husband. Several vehicles surrounded them, and she was taken to a detention center. Her lawyer claims an ICE agent indicated there was no arrest warrant at the time of her arrest, and she was only shown an immigration document telling her to appear before ICE. Rodriguez has applied for political asylum and legal status through her U.S. citizen husband.

  • Rodriguez was arrested on Wednesday, March 6, 2026.
  • Her lawyer says ICE had rescheduled two previous meetings with Rodriguez on her case.

The players

Estefany Rodriguez Florez

A reporter for the Spanish-language news outlet Nashville Noticias, who has done stories critical of ICE. She is a Colombian citizen who has been living in the U.S. for five years with a valid work permit and has applied for political asylum and legal status through her U.S. citizen husband.

Joel Coxander

The lawyer representing Estefany Rodriguez Florez.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested and detained Estefany Rodriguez Florez.

Melissa Egan

An ICE spokesperson who stated that Rodriguez was arrested during a 'targeted enforcement operation' and will remain in custody as her case proceeds through court.

National Association of Hispanic Journalists

An organization that has denounced the immigration tactics that detained Rodriguez and any efforts to interfere with news coverage of immigration enforcement.

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What’s next

A judge will decide whether to release Estefany Rodriguez Florez from ICE custody as her case proceeds through the courts.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and press freedom, and raises concerns about whether proper procedures were followed in the arrest of a journalist who has reported critically on ICE's actions.