A second upstate New York resident, David Streever of Rochester, said Tuesday that federal officers served him with a warning about online activity that criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Streever was on a trip to Finland when two officers visited his home last week and presented his wife with a notice that an email he sent months earlier was considered a threat.
Email Sent to ICE Director
Streever sent the email to Todd Lyons, then acting director of ICE, in January after an immigration officer fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Good during an anti-ICE demonstration. In the email, Streever called Lyons “a monstrous human being” who “will never know peace.” According to his attorney, Adam Steinbaugh of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Streever wrote: “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.”
Federal Agents Also Visited Poll Worker
The warning to Streever arrived the same week poll worker Paigelynne Gonyea of Syracuse said two federal officers visited her at a voting location during New York’s primaries to confront her about a social media post she wrote about the ICE officer who shot Good. Federal agents also attempted to confront Streever at a hotel in New York City when he returned from Finland, but hotel staff turned them away, Steinbaugh said.
ICE Statement and Attorney Response
Representatives for ICE declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation, but the agency said in a statement: “ICE investigates all credible threats towards its employees and officers, including threats to the ICE Director.” Steinbaugh argued the email was protected speech, stating: “A true threat is a serious expression of an intent to commit violence. This email doesn’t even come close. It’s political speech, it’s an act of petitioning your government.”
Streever’s Reaction
Streever said in a statement: “Like many Americans, I was deeply upset after the shootings in Minnesota and I felt compelled to do something. Writing a letter to the head of ICE seemed like the least I could do to express my sense of outrage. I never dreamed it would lead to a knock on my door by federal officers.” He has not contacted the Department of Homeland Security since receiving the warning and does not plan to, Steinbaugh added.
Gonyea’s Case
Gonyea believes her warning stemmed from a January social media post in which she posted a picture of ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who shot Good, and wrote: “I think today is a great day for Jonathan to be indicted.” The post remains up. Lauren Bis, a DHS spokesperson, shared an image of a different post from Gonyea where she allegedly shared Ross’s address. Bis said Gonyea “committed a federal crime by posting the address of an ICE law enforcement officer online” and warned: “if you doxx our officers, we will investigate you, and you will be brought to justice.”
Free Speech Concerns
A representative for the New York Attorney General’s Office said the office is aware of both residents’ contacts with federal agents and has been reviewing the interaction between Gonyea and federal agents at the polls. Free speech advocates have pointed to these incidents as examples of federal law enforcement infringing on privacy and free expression. Nathan Freed Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU’s speech, privacy and technology project, said: “Nobody should be tracked down at their home or hotel room by federal agents in retribution for sending an email merely expressing frustration and opposition to the government’s actions. This is an abuse of power and a gross attempt to chill Americans’ constitutionally protected speech.”
