A Nashville journalist is speaking publicly for the first time after spending more than two weeks in federal immigration detention, describing the experience as “terrifying” and saying her legal battle is far from over.Estefany Rodriguez, a reporter with Nashville Noticias, was released on bond after spending 16 days in ICE custody. Now, in a sit-down interview with her news director at Nashville Noticias, she’s opening up about what happened and what comes next.Rodriguez said she was detained on March 4 in South Nashville, despite believing she was following her immigration process.“I was never in this country a single day without legal status,” Rodriguez said. “Everything was done legally and correctly.”She said confusion over missed immigration appointments, including one during January’s ice storm, may have played a role in her arrest.‘Not knowing about my family was terrifying.’Rodriguez said one of the hardest parts of her detention was being unable to contact her family, including her young daughter, for days.“Not knowing about my family was terrifying,” she said. “Especially about my daughter.”After initially being held in a local facility, Rodriguez said she was transferred to a larger immigration detention center in Louisiana, where she was housed with dozens of other women.She described the conditions as deeply difficult.“This I wouldn’t wish this on a criminal,” she said. “It’s so inhumane what you live.”Rodriguez said many of the women she met had been detained for months, some with unresolved cases and limited access to legal help.ICE responseIn a prior statement to FOX 17, an ICE spokesperson said Rodriguez was arrested during a targeted enforcement operation and claimed she violated her visa.The agency also said officers had an administrative warrant at the time of the arrest and stood by their decision.Legal fight ongoingRodriguez is now out on bond, but her case is still moving through the courts.According to her legal team, she has multiple potential paths forward including a pending asylum case and a possible green card through her marriage to a U.S. citizen.Her attorneys are also continuing to pursue a federal legal challenge tied to her arrest, which could include questions about how the arrest was carried out.While she’s no longer in custody, legal experts say the case could take time to resolve.‘You can’t be a good journalist if you don’t care.’Rodriguez said the experience has changed how she views her work and strengthened her commitment to telling people’s stories.“You can’t be a good journalist if you don’t care about people,” she said. “I want people to know that I do care.”She also addressed criticism surrounding her case, saying she has received overwhelming support from the community.Rodriguez said she plans to return to work soon, but for now is focusing on her family and on helping others still inside detention.“My heart is with everyone who is living this situation every day,” she said.