US Citizen Detained by ICE in Minnesota Home Raid Without Warrant
ChongLy "Scott" Thao, a long-time US citizen residing in St Paul, Minnesota, was forcibly removed from his home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents without a warrant, according to his family and video evidence reviewed by the Associated Press. The incident, which occurred amid a surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities, has sparked outrage from local leaders and residents over aggressive enforcement tactics.
Forced Entry and Detention in Subfreezing Conditions
Thao recounted being woken from a nap by his daughter-in-law on a Sunday afternoon, who alerted him to ICE agents banging on the door. He advised her not to open it, but masked agents forced their way in, pointing guns at the family and yelling. "I was shaking," Thao said. "They didn't show any warrant; they just broke down the door."
Despite Thao's requests to show his identification, agents refused to view it. He was then handcuffed and led outside wearing only sandals and underwear, with a blanket hastily wrapped around his shoulders, as his four-year-old grandson watched and cried. Videos of the scene show neighbours blowing whistles and horns, screaming at the more than a dozen armed agents to leave the family alone.
Questionable Justification and Family Dispute
The US Department of Homeland Security described the operation as a "targeted operation" seeking two convicted sex offenders, stating that Thao lived with them and matched their description. However, Thao's family has categorically disputed this account, calling it "false and misleading." They note that only Thao, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson live at the rental home, and none are listed in the Minnesota sex offender registry. The nearest registered sex offender in the zip code is over two blocks away.
Thao said agents drove him to a remote location, made him get out in frigid weather to photograph him, and only later realised he was a US citizen with no criminal record. After an hour or two, they returned him home, where he was finally allowed to show his ID, but agents left without apologising for the detention or the broken door.
Local Backlash and Historical Context
St Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, a Hmong American, condemned the arrest in a statement, saying, "ICE is not doing what they say they're doing. They're not going after hardened criminals. They're going after anyone and everyone in their path. It is unacceptable and un-American." This incident is part of a broader backlash against ICE in the area, following warrantless arrests and clashes with protesters.
The family expressed particular distress given their history: Thao's adopted mother, Choua Thao, was a nurse who treated CIA-backed Hmong soldiers during the US "secret war" in Laos from 1961 to 1975, fleeing to the US when communists took over. Choua Thao, who passed away in late December, worked closely with US personnel, adding to the family's sense of betrayal.
Aftermath and Legal Action
Thao's son, Chris Thao, reported that ICE agents stopped him while driving to work before detaining his father, possibly due to a case of mistaken identity involving a borrowed car. Court records show the car's owner shares a first name with a convicted sex offender, but Chris Thao insists they are not the same person.
ChongLy Thao now plans to file a civil rights lawsuit against DHS, stating, "I don't feel safe at all. What did I do wrong? I didn't do anything." He no longer feels secure sleeping in his home, highlighting the lasting impact of the raid on his sense of safety and trust in authorities.
