U.S. citizen detained in underwear after warrantless ICE raid in Minnesota
A Minnesota citizen says ICE forced entry without a warrant and detained him in underwear during a raid seeking two sex offenders, prompting local outrage.
Overview
ChongLy "Scott" Thao, a Minnesota naturalized U.S. citizen, says masked ICE agents broke down his St. Paul home door and detained him at gunpoint without a warrant.
He was led outside in underwear and sandals in subfreezing temperatures while his four-year-old grandson watched; videos and photos circulated widely on social media and news outlets.
DHS described the operation as targeting two convicted sex offenders and said Thao matched the suspects' description, while his family disputes that claim and says no offenders lived there.
Neighbors and St. Paul leaders, including Mayor Kaohly Her, criticized ICE tactics amid a broader federal surge into the Twin Cities, citing warrantless arrests and aggressive confrontations with protesters.
Thao says agents fingerprinted and photographed him, later returned him home without apology; he plans a civil rights lawsuit and says he no longer feels safe in his house.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the raid as evidence of federal overreach and harm to a lawful citizen, using vivid human details, temperature, social-media images, and family statements to elicit empathy, while including DHS defenses and legal context. Language choices and emphasis prioritize the victim’s experience, suggesting a narrative of excessive immigration enforcement.
Sources (6)
FAQ
ChongLy 'Scott' Thao is a naturalized U.S. citizen and Hmong grandfather in St. Paul, Minnesota. Masked ICE agents broke down his door without a warrant, detained him at gunpoint in underwear and Crocs in subfreezing weather, fingerprinted him, and released him after confirming his citizenship, while his grandson watched.
DHS stated the operation targeted two convicted sex offenders and that Thao matched their description and lived with them, though his family disputes this, claiming no offenders lived there and ICE may have sought a previous resident.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her criticized ICE's warrantless tactics as irresponsible, visited the family, and highlighted fears in the Hmong-American community. Neighbors recorded the event, and the family started a GoFundMe for legal fees, therapy, and repairs; complaints were filed with ACLU and AG Keith Ellison.
Thao plans a civil rights lawsuit. A GoFundMe campaign seeks funds for legal fees, mental health therapy for family members, medical care for his psoriasis worsened by stress, and door repairs.
It is part of a broader federal ICE surge in the Twin Cities, with reports of another warrantless detainment of a Hmong father-of-three in St. Paul, prompting outrage over aggressive tactics.
History
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