David Streever, a US citizen from upstate New York, has sued US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after federal officers visited his home in June 2024 to deliver a warning notice regarding an email he sent to the agency's then-acting director, Todd Lyons. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in Washington DC, alleges that ICE violated Streever's First Amendment rights to free speech.
Background of the Email
Streever sent the email in January 2024, following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good by an ICE officer during an anti-ICE demonstration. The incident was captured on video. In his email, Streever called Lyons "a monstrous human being" who "will never know peace" and compared him to Reinhard Heydrich, a Nazi leader. The email's subject line was "What's next."
ICE Response and Lawsuit
While Streever was on a trip to Finland, two ICE officers visited his Rochester home in June and presented his wife with a warning notice, stating the email was considered a threat. Federal agents also attempted to confront Streever at a New York City hotel upon his return but were turned away by hotel staff. The lawsuit, filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, argues that Streever's email constitutes protected political speech. Attorney Adam Steinbaugh stated, "This is very clearly within the protection of the first amendment. It was in the context of political speech."
Similar Cases
Streever is one of at least two upstate New York residents served with federal warnings in June for criticizing ICE online. Paigelynne Gonyea, a poll worker, was confronted by federal agents at a voting location during New York's primaries over a social media post about ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who shot Good. Gonyea's post included a picture of Ross and the comment "I think today is a great day for Jonathan to be indicted." A homeland security spokesperson, Lauren Bis, accused Gonyea of sharing Ross's address, calling it a federal crime.
Agency and Government Responses
ICE previously declined to comment on Streever's case, citing an ongoing investigation, and did not immediately comment on the lawsuit. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, released a statement denying any attempt to suppress free speech, calling such allegations "categorically FALSE." The statement added, "Anyone who assaults or threatens our law enforcement officers will face the consequences." The New York Attorney General's office is aware of both cases and is reviewing the interaction between Gonyea and federal agents at the polls.
