David Streever, a father from Rochester, New York, sent an angry email to Todd Lyons, then the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), after federal immigration officers fatally shot two observers in Minneapolis in January. He didn't threaten anyone — he criticized a government official, something every American has the right to do.

Five months later, Homeland Security Investigations officers showed up at his home, tracked him to an airport, and followed him to a hotel. They left him a notice warning "YOU MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW," listing criminal statutes and warning that any future "criminal activities" would be held against him — all over an email criticizing a public official.

Streever sued with help from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), arguing the government had violated his First Amendment rights and forced him to censor his own political speech. This week, a federal judge agreed. U.S. District Judge Contreras wrote that "Mr. Streever's injury is the loss of his freedom to engage in political speech now because the threat of such an investigation or prosecution looms over him like the sword of Damocles, and he is forced to self-censor under that threat." The judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security and ICE from acting on the warning notice or threatening Streever again for his protected speech.

"Ominous letters warning people their speech might land them in prison are meant to coerce people into silence, and that's not how the First Amendment works," said FIRE Senior Attorney Adam Steinbaugh.

No American should be tracked down and threatened by federal agents for criticizing their government. Sign this petition to demand DHS and ICE permanently drop the warning notice and commit to never using intimidation tactics against people for speaking their minds.