NY Man Files First Amendment Lawsuit After DHS Agents Tracked Him Over Critical Email to ICE
David Streever, a Rochester resident, filed a federal lawsuit alleging the Department of Homeland Security violated his First Amendment rights after Homeland Security Investigations agents attempted to locate him over an email he sent criticizing then-acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. Agents visited his home while he was overseas, left a warning notice with his wife alleging he 'may be in violation of federal law,' and later attempted to contact him at a New York City hotel after he returned to the U.S. Streever argues his email constituted protected political speech and that the government's actions chilled his willingness to speak freely. The lawsuit was filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
In January 2026, David Streever, a resident of Rochester, New York, sent an email criticizing then-acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons over the agency's enforcement policies. According to a federal lawsuit filed July 6, 2026, in U.S. District Court, three Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents subsequently sought to locate and confront Streever over the message. While Streever was traveling overseas, agents visited his Rochester home and left a written warning notice with his wife stating that he 'may be in violation of federal law,' the lawsuit alleges. After Streever returned to the United States, agents attempted to contact him at a New York City hotel where he was staying. Streever contends the email was protected political speech and that the government's actions were retaliatory, creating a chilling effect on his willingness to criticize public officials. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is representing him in the litigation, which seeks a declaratory judgment that the government's conduct violated the First Amendment and an injunction to prevent similar actions in the future. The case highlights ongoing concerns about federal law enforcement agencies monitoring or responding to private citizens' political expression. At the time of filing, the government had not publicly commented on the specific allegations.