It’s OK to tell ICE their actions will haunt them, judge rules in speech fight
Summary
A federal judge ruled that telling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials their actions will "haunt them" is protected free speech and not a threat. The judge stopped ICE from enforcing a warning to David Streever, who criticized ICE in an email after protestors were killed.Key Facts
- David Streever sent a harsh email to ICE’s acting director criticizing the killing of two protestors.
- ICE later warned Streever that his email might be a criminal threat and said he could face prosecution if he continued speaking critically.
- ICE agents visited Streever’s home and tracked him to a hotel, which scared him and caused him to self-censor.
- U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras ruled that Streever’s email is protected speech under the First Amendment.
- The judge stopped ICE from enforcing the warning, preventing them from punishing Streever for his speech while the case moves forward.
- ICE did not officially inform Streever that the investigation had ended, causing confusion about whether the threat of prosecution remained.
- Streever’s lawyers said the warning from ICE violated his right to free speech.
- Streever expressed relief that the court recognized his right to criticize government officials.
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