Nashville reporter arrested by US ICE has been released, her legal team says

Estefany Maria Rodriguez Florez was detained for 16 days before being released on a $10,000 bond.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 8:47pm

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A Colombian reporter working for a Spanish-language news outlet in Nashville, Estefany Maria Rodriguez Florez, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in early March. After spending 16 days in ICE detention, Rodriguez Florez was released on a $10,000 bond, according to her legal team.

Why it matters

The arrest of Rodriguez Florez, who frequently reports on stories critical of ICE, has drawn swift condemnation from human rights, immigration advocacy and press freedom groups. It highlights ongoing concerns about ICE's enforcement tactics and the impact on journalists and immigrant communities.

The details

Rodriguez Florez has lived in the U.S. for five years and filed for political asylum. She later married a U.S. citizen and has a valid work permit. However, the Trump administration alleges she was not authorized to stay in the U.S. beyond 2021 on her tourist visa. ICE accused her of violating her visa conditions, but her lawyers say the case against her will continue.

  • Rodriguez Florez was arrested by ICE in early March 2026.
  • She was released from ICE custody on a $10,000 bond on March 19, 2026.
  • Rodriguez Florez had a meeting scheduled with ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in mid-March 2026.

The players

Estefany Maria Rodriguez Florez

A Colombian reporter working for a Spanish-language news outlet in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mike Holley

A Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition attorney representing Rodriguez Florez's habeas case in court.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The U.S. government agency that arrested Rodriguez Florez, alleging she violated her visa conditions.

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What they’re saying

“After spending 16 days in ICE detention, the reporter was released on a $10,000 bond.”

— Mike Holley, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition attorney

“Holley said in the statement that the reporter's attorneys were seeking an order barring ICE from 'mistreating her in a similar way in the future.'”

— Mike Holley, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition attorney

What’s next

The case against Rodriguez Florez will continue, as the Trump administration alleges she was not authorized to stay in the U.S. beyond 2021 on her tourist visa.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between ICE's enforcement tactics and the rights of journalists and immigrant communities. It underscores the need for balanced and humane immigration policies that protect press freedom and due process.