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.

ICE says Vizguerra entered the U.S. from Mexico illegally in 1997 and is being held pending deportation. In a statement shortly after her arrest, ICE said the mother of four has a final deportation order and “has received legal due process in U.S. immigration court.”

Protesters gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Aurora early Tuesday morning on reports that immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra was taken into custody.

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.