ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Federal immigration agents forced open a door and detained a U.S. citizen in his Minnesota home at gunpoint without a warrant, leading to his humiliation in subfreezing conditions, according to Thao's family and videos reviewed by The Associated Press.
ChongLy “Scott” Thao told the AP that his daughter-in-law woke him up from a nap Sunday afternoon, informing him that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were banging at the door of his residence in St. Paul. He advised her not to open it. However, masked agents forced their way in and pointed guns at the family.
“I was shaking,” Thao recounted. “They didn’t show any warrant; they just broke down the door.”
With a surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities, immigration authorities are facing backlash from local leaders and residents over warrantless arrests, aggressive tactics against protestors, and recent tragedies involving local families, such as the fatal shooting of a mother of three.
“ICE is not doing what they say they’re doing,” said St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. “They’re not targeting hardened criminals. They’re going after anyone and everyone in their path. It is unacceptable and un-American.”
Encounter Caught on Video
As Thao was being detained, he asked his daughter-in-law to find his identification, but the agents refused to look at it. Instead, Thao was led out handcuffed, wearing only sandals and underwear, covered with a blanket, while his 4-year-old grandson watched in tears. Videos captured the scene, showing neighbors confronting the agents and demanding they leave Thao’s family alone.
After being driven to an undisclosed location in the freezing weather, Thao was made to exit the vehicle so they could photograph him. Fearing violent repercussions, he was eventually asked for his ID, which the agents had previously denied him the chance to retrieve.
After realizing he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record, ICE agents returned him after one or two hours, with no apology for their actions.
DHS Defends the Operation
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security claimed that the ICE operation targeting Thao’s home was necessary to seek two convicted sex offenders allegedly living at the location. However, Thao's family disputes these claims, stating they live only with each other and that the nearest registered sex offender is two blocks away.
DHS did not respond when the Associated Press requested further details about the supposed targets of their investigation.
Family's Emotional Trauma
Thao’s family expressed distress over his treatment, particularly since Thao's mother fled Laos in the 1970s after incorporating her life into American support for Hmong soldiers during the Secret War. His adopted mother was a nurse who worked closely with U.S. forces, and this incident has caused significant emotional turmoil within the family.
Thao intends to file a civil rights lawsuit against DHS, expressing a profound sense of insecurity in his own home. “I don’t feel safe at all,” he said. “What did I do wrong? I didn’t do anything.”
