Statement on the Arrest of Journalist Estefany Maria Rodriguez Florez

The arrest and detention of journalist Estefany Maria Rodriguez Florez should alarm every American who believes in a free press. The Committee for the First Amendment demands her immediate release. 

For generations, the United States has served as a refuge for journalists facing persecution for telling the truth. Ms. Rodriguez came to this country seeking that protection. She had an active asylum case, a valid work permit, and a pending Green Card application. By all accounts, she followed the rules. Yet, she was arrested without a warrant. 

This sends a chilling message to journalists everywhere: Report on the government at your own risk. 

But in the United States, freedom of the press is not a privilege granted at the discretion of those in power. It is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment, and it cannot be selectively applied based on what a journalist chooses to cover. 

When the detention of reporters goes unchallenged, the consequences extend far beyond a single case. It undermines the fundamental promise of this nation - that people can speak, report, and hold those in power accountable without fear or retaliation.