LAWSUIT: He Criticized ICE. So, the Feds Crashed His Vacation.

From Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, July 7, 2027

- The freedom to criticize law enforcement without fear of punishment is an essential right in the United States. But officials at the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement don't seem to understand this.

Just ask David Streever. Following ICE's January crackdown in Minnesota, Streever wrote an angry email to the then-head of ICE, condemning him and calling him a "monstrous human being."

The government's response? 

Showing up at Streever's front door with a "WARNING NOTICE" that explained, on official federal stationery from ICE and DHS, that "YOU MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW" for sending his email to the ICE director.

Since Streever wasn't home at the time, agents went one step further and tracked him down at the hotel where he was staying during a trip with his 7-year-old daughter. A federal agent showed up at the front desk, leaving a hotel clerk a business card to give to Streever. Two agents also repeatedly called Streever's phone, leaving anonymous voicemails identifying themselves only as "Homeland Security Investigations."

This type of behavior sounds more like it belongs in an authoritarian police state than in the United States of America.

That's why FIRE just filed a federal lawsuit to challenge ICE's efforts to scare Streever and others into silence — and remind other government officials that such behavior is un-American, unconstitutional, and unacceptable in a free society.

Streever's criticism of ICE contained only fully protected speech, and nothing that could constitutionally justify ICE's "knock it off" threats. And it came nowhere close to an unlawful threat of violence, as the notice and subsequent ICE comments suggested. The fact that it took five months for the government to take this drastic action provides further proof that Streever presented no threat.

Simply put, the only threat here is the one DHS and ICE officials pose to Streever's First Amendment freedoms — and those of his fellow Americans. That's why FIRE is fighting it.

With our lawsuit, we're sending a message to government officials everywhere: respect the First Amendment, or be prepared to see us in court. 

FIRE

P.S. This work is only possible thanks to generous donors like you. Thank you for all you do to help FIRE protect the First Amendment. Your Donations Make a Difference

Rod's Comment: 

As we watch the Trump administration trample the Constitution and advance its authoritarian agenda, it is important that we who support classical liberal values, including free speech, stand up for our values and rights. Fire does an excellent job of doing that. They have long been defending free speech, whether the attack comes from the left or the right. FIRE is one of the organizations I support with my charitable giving. Please follow the link and make a donation.

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