CPJ calls on immigration authorities to release Tennessee-based journalist Estefany Rodriguez

Washington, D.C., March 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on immigration authorities to unconditionally release journalist Estefany Rodríguez, who was detained without warrant on March 4 despite being in the United States legally, according to news reports.

Rodríguez has reported on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity for Nashville Notícias. According to multiple reports, Rodríguez was detained in Nashville, Tennessee, by ICE agents in her car marked with “Nashville Notícias” branding. 

“The detention of Estefany Rodríguez by Department of Homeland Security agents is part of a shameful and alarming pattern of the Trump administration’s use of immigration authorities to clamp down on freedom of the press,” said CPJ U.S., Canada, and Caribbean Program Coordinator Katherine Jacobsen. “Rodríguez came to the United States seeking safety from death threats she received for her reporting in her native Colombia and was in the United States legally at the time of her detention. The United States has traditionally been a safe haven for journalists fleeing retaliation in connection with their work. With Rodríguez’s case, federal authorities have shown a cruel disregard for this tradition.”

Rodríguez came to the United States in 2021 from her native Colombia after receiving death threats in connection with her reporting. She arrived on a tourist visa and then sought asylum. In addition to a pending asylum case, the reporter has had a pending green card application  through her husband, who was present during her detention.

According to the Nashville Banner, Rodríguez was transported to a detention center and was being transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana as of Thursday. 

CPJ has previously reported on the case of Atlanta metro-area journalist Mario Guevara, who was deported to his native El Salvador, despite being in the country legally at the time of his detention. 

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not immediately reply to CPJ’s emailed request for comment.