ICE Allegedly Forces Entry and Removes U.S. Citizen from Minnesota Home
A recent incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked outrage in St. Paul, Minnesota. Federal agents reportedly stormed a home, detaining ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a U.S. citizen, without a warrant.
Forced Entry by ICE Agents
The event unfolded on a Sunday afternoon when Thao’s daughter-in-law alerted him to the aggressive knocking at their door. Despite Thao’s request not to open it, masked agents forced entry into the home, guns drawn, causing distress among the family.
Details of the Detention
- Thao was detained while wearing only sandals and underwear, wrapped in a blanket.
- His four-year-old grandson witnessed the frightening scene.
- Neighbors recorded the incident, expressing their anger towards the agents.
Thao was taken away from his home under extreme conditions. He reported that officers drove him “to the middle of nowhere” and forced him to exit the vehicle in freezing temperatures for a photograph. At this point, he was not allowed to present his identification.
Response from Officials
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) qualified the operation as targeting two convicted sex offenders believed to be residing with Thao. However, the family strongly contests this justification, asserting that only they live at the rental property, which is devoid of registered sex offenders.
Community Reaction
Local leaders, including St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, criticized ICE’s actions, stating they reflect a broader pattern of warrantless arrests. Mayor Her described the situation as “unacceptable and un-American.”
Personal Impact on Thao’s Family
ChongLy Thao’s family expressed profound concern over his treatment, recounting their own history of fleeing Laos to escape political persecution due to their support for U.S. operations during the Vietnam War. Thao plans to pursue legal action against DHS, citing a loss of security in his own home.
Thao articulated the emotional toll of the incident, stating, “I don’t feel safe at all. What did I do wrong? I didn’t do anything.”
As the fallout from this incident continues, the community remains on edge, protesting against ICE’s aggressive tactics and demanding accountability.
