Federal Officers Warn New York Residents Over Anti-ICE Activity

An upstate New York resident has reported receiving a warning from federal officers about online criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). David Streever, from Rochester, was in Finland when officers came to his home, delivering a notice to his wife regarding an email he had sent months prior. This email, directed at Todd Lyons, then acting director of ICE, was considered a threat.

In January, Streever sent the email following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a Minneapolis resident, during an anti-ICE protest. Streever’s attorney, Adam Steinbaugh, said the email described Lyons as “a monstrous human being” who “will never know peace.” The warning coincided with another incident involving Paigelynne Gonyea, a poll worker from Syracuse. She reported that federal officers visited her at a voting location to address a social media post she made concerning the officer who shot Good.

Federal agents also sought Streever at a hotel in New York City upon his return but were turned away by hotel staff, according to Steinbaugh. In his email, Streever accused Lyons of protecting “the obvious execution in Minnesota” and predicted Lyons’ downfall. ICE declined to comment on these incidents, citing an ongoing investigation, but stated that it investigates all threats against its staff.

Steinbaugh asserts that Streever’s email was protected by free speech. A genuine threat involves a serious intent to commit violence, he argued, which the email did not meet. It was an expression of political speech and an attempt to petition the government. Streever expressed his outrage and stated the email was a way to express that anger. He was surprised by the federal officers’ response.

Gonyea believes her warning was due to a social media post sharing the identity of Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer involved in the shooting. She suggested it would be a good day for Ross’s indictment. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security claims Gonyea committed a federal crime by posting the officer’s address online.

The New York Attorney General’s Office is aware of the incidents involving Streever and Gonyea. They are reviewing what took place at the polls with Gonyea. Free speech advocates view these events as federal law enforcement infringing on privacy and free expression. Nathan Freed Wessler of the ACLU stated that expressing frustration and opposition to government actions should not prompt federal retaliation.