“I Don’t Support Him”: Streamer’s Four Words Reportedly Led to ICE Detainment

In a bizarre and increasingly concerning episode at the intersection of politics, free speech, and immigration enforcement, a popular U.S.-based Twitch streamer says he was temporarily detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after making a four-word comment about former President Donald Trump.

The streamer, who goes by the handle “NicoWave” online, recounted the harrowing experience during a recent live broadcast to his 800,000 followers. According to NicoWave, the entire ordeal began when he returned to the United States after attending a gaming convention in Berlin last month.

“I never thought something like this could happen,” he said, looking visibly shaken during the stream. “I’m a citizen. I was born here. I pay taxes. I don’t even have so much as a speeding ticket. And yet, here I was, being treated like some kind of threat just because of an opinion.”

A Simple Question, a Loaded Response

According to NicoWave, the situation unfolded shortly after he landed at JFK International Airport in New York. After going through customs, he was pulled aside by officers for what they called “secondary screening.”

“I figured it was random,” he said. “They sat me in a room with a few others, took my passport, and told me to wait.”

But when an agent finally approached him, the questions reportedly veered into political territory. “They asked me where I had been, who I had seen, what the nature of the convention was. That’s normal,” he explained. “But then one of the officers asked me, ‘What’s your opinion of Donald Trump?’”

Caught off guard, NicoWave says he gave what he thought was a perfectly legal, constitutionally protected response: “I don’t support him.”

He claims that within minutes of uttering those words, the tone of the interview shifted. The officers allegedly left the room, returned with additional personnel, and informed him he would be held for further questioning.

Detained for Hours Without Explanation

For the next three and a half hours, NicoWave says he was kept in a holding room with no access to his phone or legal counsel. His bags were searched thoroughly, and officers reviewed the contents of his laptop, camera equipment, and even his Twitch setup.

“They made me unlock my phone and started going through my messages, my Twitter DMs, even my notes,” he said. “I kept asking, ‘Am I being charged with something?’ And they just kept saying, ‘This is standard procedure.’”

NicoWave said the line of questioning continued to circle back to his political beliefs. Officers reportedly asked if he had ever attended political protests, posted anti-government content, or had connections with any groups that “espouse anti-American values.”

At one point, he says, an officer insinuated that his answer about Trump was suspicious. “They said, ‘We just find it interesting that someone like you would be so openly hostile toward a former president.’ That’s when I realized this wasn’t about security. This was ideological.”

Released But Unsettled

After nearly four hours, NicoWave was released without charges or further explanation. His passport was returned, and he was told he was “free to go.”

“I walked out of there feeling like I had done something wrong just for speaking my mind,” he said.

Though ICE and DHS have not commented publicly on the specific incident, a spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told local media that “all individuals are subject to inspection upon entry into the U.S.,” and that “political beliefs are not grounds for detainment or extra screening.”

But civil rights groups say they’re seeing an increase in reports of politically motivated questioning at the border — especially targeting journalists, activists, and now, apparently, content creators.

Legal and Constitutional Concerns

“This is a red flag, plain and simple,” said Aimee Ross, a constitutional attorney with the Digital Rights Liberty Project. “Asking someone about their political opinions at the border — and then detaining them for expressing disapproval of a public official — could amount to a violation of the First and Fourth Amendments.”

Ross points out that while border agents do have broader powers than regular law enforcement, there are still constitutional limits. “Citizens cannot be punished for their speech,” she emphasized. “Even at the airport.”

NicoWave has not filed any legal action but says he is considering it. “I’m not doing this just for me,” he said during his stream. “I’ve got fans who are immigrants, people of color, people with accents, people who might say the wrong thing and end up in a worse situation than me.”

“It’s Bigger Than Just One Streamer”

The incident has ignited a debate online, especially in gaming and streaming circles, where creators often travel internationally. Fellow streamers have expressed support for NicoWave and concern about potential government overreach.

“It’s scary,” said another high-profile streamer, LeenaJade, during her own livestream. “You can’t even say you don’t support a politician without being interrogated like you’re a threat?”

On Twitter, the hashtag #FreeSpeechAtCustoms trended for several hours after NicoWave’s story went viral.

As of now, NicoWave says he hasn’t received any formal apology or explanation from ICE, CBP, or any other agency involved.

“I’m not going to stop speaking out,” he said. “That’s exactly what they want — for us to be quiet. I won’t be.”

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