A federal immigration operation in St. Paul drew sharp public scrutiny this week after a U.S. citizen was detained outside his home wearing only underwear and sandals during subfreezing temperatures. The individual, identified by family members as 56-year-old ChongLy “Scott” Thao, was later released without charges following questioning by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel.
Detention Raises Questions About Tactics
Thao’s family reported that the incident began when agents arrived at their residence early Sunday afternoon. According to family accounts, officers forced entry, pointed firearms, and ordered family members to remain in place while agents restrained Thao. The family alleges they were not shown a warrant and that attempts by Thao to provide identification proving his U.S. citizenship were ignored.
Witnesses from the neighborhood captured portions of the encounter on video, including agents escorting Thao through a snow-covered yard with a blanket over his shoulders. Several neighbors can be heard shouting at officers and expressing concern over the use of force in the frigid weather.
Questioning and Release
Thao later recounted that after being transported to another location he was asked to exit the vehicle for photographs and was again questioned about his identity. He stated that the same identification agents refused at the house was eventually accepted as proof he was not the individual sought in the operation. He was returned home approximately an hour later. The family says no explanation or apology was provided regarding the treatment or damage to the residence.
DHS Provides Justification
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security characterized the operation as targeted enforcement aimed at locating two individuals with existing sexual assault convictions. DHS said Thao met the physical description of the subjects and claimed he initially declined to participate in biometric identification procedures. The agency did not disclose why it believed the suspects were associated with the property.
Thao’s family strongly rejected the claim, asserting that the household consists only of Thao, his son, his daughter-in-law, and a young grandchild. Public records for the neighborhood did not list the family or property owner on the Minnesota sex offender registry. DHS did not respond to follow-up requests regarding the identities of the individuals sought or the basis for targeting the residence.
Community Response Amid Broader Enforcement Campaign
The confrontation comes during a heightened period of federal immigration activity in the Twin Cities. Local officials estimate that more than 3,000 arrests have taken place over the past six weeks, prompting legal challenges and criticism from state leadership. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her said the current phase of enforcement has created widespread fear, particularly among Hmong and Southeast Asian residents in the city’s east side communities.
The operation also follows a separate fatal encounter involving federal agents earlier this month, prompting Minnesota’s attorney general to pursue court action aimed at restricting ICE activities within the state. Civil rights organizations have reported a surge in hotline calls and legal requests from affected residents.
Family History and Next Steps
Thao’s family noted that their relatives came to the United States decades earlier following the U.S.-backed conflict in Laos. His late adoptive mother served as a nurse for Hmong fighters aligned with American intelligence efforts during the Cold War and later sought refuge in the U.S. after the collapse of the Laotian government.
Thao said the incident has left him shaken and unsure whether he feels secure in his own home. The family has indicated they intend to pursue a civil rights complaint regarding the detention and the conduct of the agents involved. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Thao said. “I just want to feel safe in my house again.”
Mikie Sherrill Takes Office as New Jersey Governor, Issues Emergency Order on Soaring Electricity Costs – full story explained in my new blog, make sure you read it!
