Court Temporarily Blocks ICE Warning Letter Sent to Critic of Agency Director

After the deaths of two Minnesotans shot by ICE officers, David Streever emailed Acting Director Todd Lyons with a vitriolic message comparing Lyons to a Nazi and forecasting his disgrace. ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility flagged the email as a possible threat, sent agents to Streever's Rochester residence, and served his wife a warning notice that warned of federal and state prosecution under Title 18 and Title 19 statutes.

The investigation was later closed, though Streever was not notified. In July 2026 Streever sued ICE, and Judge Rudolph Contreras ruled that the warning likely violated the First Amendment, granting a preliminary injunction that nullifies the notice and prevents similar coercive actions. The court emphasized that the email constituted protected political speech, not a true threat, and that the government’s tone suggested intimidation.

The injunction is limited to the warning notice and does not extend to future investigations of Streever’s speech. Attorneys from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression represent Streever.