U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violated Jeanette Vizguerra’s First Amendment rights by detaining — and planning to deport — the Colorado immigration advocate, her attorneys argued in federal court in Denver on Friday.

A lawyer for a prominent immigration activist arrested this month says authorities appear to be retaliating against her years after she took refuge in Colorado churches to avoid deportation during

Vizguerra's attorneys said immigration agents detained her in violation of her First Amendment right to free speech.

Attorneys for immigrant activist Jeanette Vizguerra claim she was "targeted" and detained by immigration officials "for her activism, for her open speech about the process, and for her organizing."

A federal judge on Friday heard that the lawyers for prominent Denver immigration advocate Jeanette Vizguerra anticipate amending their petition for her release by adding a claim that officials detained her in retaliation for her First Amendment-protected activity.

Lawyers for Jeanette Vizguerra intend to amend her habeas corpus petition, alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained her in retaliation for speech that’s protected under the First Amendment.