ICE Arrests Univision Journalist; She Is Married to a U.S. Citizen

Posted on 03/06/26 at 20:13

ICE arrests Colombian journalist
Detention without judicial warrant
Wife of U.S. citizen

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Colombian journalist Estefany Rodríguez in Tennessee, an arrest that has sparked outrage among her family, Spanish-language media outlets, and sectors of the immigrant community.

Rodríguez worked for Nashville Noticias and Univision 42 when she was intercepted by armed officers while traveling in her vehicle with her husband.

The case has raised concern because of the circumstances surrounding the arrest, claims by her legal team about alleged legal irregularities, and the broader context of recent tensions between federal authorities and journalists covering immigration issues.

How the journalist’s arrest in Tennessee happened

According to a statement from Nashville Noticias, the detention occurred on Wednesday while Estefany Rodríguez was driving her car, which displayed the outlet’s logo. At the time she was accompanied by her husband, Alejandro Medina III.

According to the media outlet, several official vehicles surrounded the car and armed agents proceeded to arrest her.

Estefany Rodríguez’s husband said the operation was excessive

According to his account, his wife “is currently detained after being arrested by eight armed agents.”

Authorities, Medina III said, argued that Rodríguez needed to appear for two immigration appointments. However, he maintains that there were inconsistencies in that explanation.

He explained that the notice for one of those appointments never appeared in the immigration system, while the other appointment could not be attended because of the severe winter storms that affected the United States in recent months.

The arrest took place despite the fact that Rodríguez is married to a U.S. citizen, a situation her family considers relevant in her immigration case.

Legal defense alleges constitutional violation

Following the detention, Rodríguez’s legal team filed a petition in Federal Court challenging the legality of the arrest.

The defense argues that the detention was carried out without a judicial warrant, which they say violates basic constitutional rights.

Specifically, the lawyers claim that ICE’s actions violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects people against arrests and searches without legal justification.

According to the petition filed in court, the detention was carried out without an arrest warrant and without evidence that the journalist posed a flight risk, one of the conditions authorities typically use to justify immigration arrests.

While the legal process continues, Rodríguez remains detained in an immigration facility.

Husband asks for support and prayers for the family

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The ICE detention has generated a wave of support on social media and within Tennessee’s Latino community.

Her husband, Alejandro Medina III, shared a public message asking for solidarity and support for his family while they face the legal process.

“At this moment I ask for prayers for my wife and our family, and I thank you, the community, for the support you are giving us as we deal with this injustice that results from a fragmented system,” he said.

Medina also launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to raise money to cover the costs of the legal defense.

Journalistic career of Estefany Rodríguez

Rodríguez holds a journalism degree in Colombia and previously worked for several media outlets in her home country.

In 2022 she joined Nashville Noticias, where she began covering key issues affecting the Hispanic community, including migration, social issues, health, and crime news.

The outlet describes her as a journalist committed to the community and very close to her audience.

According to the publication, she is a communicator “known in the community for telling stories, for her empathy, and for the love she has for her family and for her 8-year-old daughter.”

Nashville Noticias has a large digital audience and more than 800,000 followers on Facebook.

Estefany Rodríguez’s case comes after the deportation of journalist Mario Guevara

deportación, Mario Guevara, ICE MundoNOW — ICE Arrests Univision Journalist; She Is Married to a U.S. Citizen – PHOTO: EFE

Rodríguez’s arrest comes months after another case that also sparked debate about the treatment of migrant journalists in the United States.

In October, Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara was deported after being detained in June 2025 in Georgia while covering a protest against President Donald Trump and immigration raids.

According to reports, Guevara identified himself as a member of the press during the coverage of the demonstration.

Warnings from the Inter American Press Association

The climate of tension between authorities and the media has also been highlighted by international organizations.

In its most recent semiannual report on the United States, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) warned about growing pressure against media outlets.

You may also be interested in: Hispanic Father Was Deported and When He Tried to Return to the U.S. Another Way, He Died Tragically

The organization documented that “in his second term as president, Donald Trump has launched direct attacks against national media, driving a wave of lawsuits and rhetorical attacks and emboldening federal agencies.”

Source: EFE / El Universal