ICE Allegedly Breaks Into Minnesota Home, Removes U.S. Citizen Without Warrant

Federal immigration agents allegedly broke into a Minnesota home, detaining a U.S. citizen without a warrant. The incident, which occurred on a Sunday afternoon in St. Paul, has raised serious concerns among local residents and officials.

Details of the Incident

ChongLy “Scott” Thao was at home when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents forcefully entered his residence. His daughter-in-law alerted him to the commotion at the door, but Thao advised her not to open it. The agents, wearing masks, broke the door down and entered, guns drawn, alarming the family.

Thao recalled, “They didn’t show any warrant; they just broke down the door.” He was eventually led out of his home in just his underwear and sandals, wrapped in a blanket, as his 4-year-old grandson watched in distress.

Community Reactions

The aggressive tactics used by ICE agents have sparked backlash from local leaders. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her condemned the operation, stating, “ICE is not doing what they say they’re doing. They’re not going after hardened criminals.” Residents criticized the actions as unacceptable and un-American.

Government Response

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) characterized the operation as a “targeted operation” aimed at apprehending two convicted sex offenders believed to be residing at Thao’s home. They claimed that Thao matched the description of their targets and refused to provide identification when asked.

Thao’s Family Disputes the Claims

• Thao’s family has strongly disputed the DHS’s version of events.
• According to them, only Thao and his immediate family reside in the home.
• No one in the household is listed in the Minnesota sex offender registry.

Thao’s son, Chris Thao, reported that ICE agents had also stopped him before the incident while he was driving an unfamiliar vehicle. Confusion arose regarding the identity of a man connected to another sex offender case, which the family insists is unrelated to them.

A Troubling Legacy

ChongLy Thao’s family has a complicated history with U.S. authorities. His mother fled Laos for America in the 1970s after supporting American operations during the Vietnam War. This legacy adds weight to their concerns regarding how U.S. government agents treated Thao.

Thao is now considering filing a civil rights lawsuit against the DHS and expressed feeling unsafe in his own home. “I don’t feel safe at all,” he said. “What did I do wrong? I didn’t do anything.”

This incident has heightened fears in the Twin Cities area, where the presence of federal agents has drawn both protests and scrutiny regarding their methods.