Man sues DHS after scathing email led ICE agents to his doorstep
(FILES) File image dated May 7, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey, shows a badge hanging over the uniform of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
A New York man has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alleging that an email he sent to the agency’s acting director prompted federal authorities to visit his home.
According to the complaint filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, David Streever emailed then acting ICE Director Todd Lyons after ICE fatally shot a Minneapolis man during Operation Metro Surge.
The complaint said the message was intended to be political criticism, but federal authorities treated it as a criminal threat.
Streever’s attorneys argue the government misused threat investigation procedures to intimidate a critic and curb free speech. The suit names Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne, senior ICE leadership and multiple agents.
The backstory:
In June, ICE agents went to Streever’s home while he was overseas and delivered a written warning notice to his wife. The document said Streever "may be in violation of federal law" and ordered him to stop what agents described as threatening behavior.
The lawsuit says agents later tracked Streever to a New York City hotel and tried to get him to sign paperwork acknowledging the email as a potential crime.
The email
With the subject line "What’s Next," Streever’s email consisted of three paragraphs.
"You are a monstrous human being and will go down in history as America’s Reinhard Heydrich, the butcher.
"The way you are protecting the obvious execution in Minnesota, even as we see the videos, will lead to your downfall. Even Trump will turn on you before the end, and you will be a sad, despised man who eats himself alive with shame at your own pathetic weakness.
"You will never know peace. You will seek to lose yourself, to escape the burden of knowing the truth about yourself. But wherever you go, you will find yourself. You will torment yourself until your last day on Earth."
The response
The other side:
According to The Associated Press, ICE had not responded to the lawsuit as of Monday. However, Secretary Mullin issued a statement rejecting the allegations.
"Any allegation DHS and its components are attempting to ‘squash’ free speech is categorically FALSE," the statement said. "Anyone who assaults or threatens our law enforcement officers will face the consequences."
The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and court documents. This story was reported from Orlando.