What Happened in St. Paul
On January 18, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents broke down the door of a home in St. Paul, Minnesota, and detained 56-year-old ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Laos, while he was inside with his family.
According to Thao and his family, agents entered the house without presenting a warrant and pointed weapons at residents before handcuffing him. Despite wearing only underwear and sandals, and later using a blanket from inside the home for warmth, he was forced into the freezing snow outside in sub-zero temperatures.
Thao’s daughter-in-law told reporters that he was awakened from a nap and did not know why the agents were at the door. The family said neighbors recorded video showing agents dragging Thao onto the snowy lawn, with cries from those nearby as the scene unfolded.
Detention, Release, and Government Response
Brief Detention and Return
After being taken outside, Thao was reportedly driven to a different location where agents took his fingerprints and a photograph. Only after officials realized Thao was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record was he brought back to his home, asked to show identification, and released — still without an apology or clear explanation for the operation against him.
Thao has expressed deep fear and confusion over the incident, questioning how such treatment could occur to someone who has lived in the United States for decades and participated fully in civic life. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said in interviews, adding that the experience left him shaken and unsure of his safety at home.
DHS Statement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the operation, saying the ICE agents were conducting a “targeted operation” to arrest two convicted sex offenders believed to be associated with the address. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin suggested Thao was held after matching a description and refusing identification at the scene, a claim Thao’s family strongly disputes.
Broader Context: Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota
Operation Metro Surge
The incident is part of a larger enforcement campaign known as Operation Metro Surge, initiated by the U.S. government in Minnesota to aggressively pursue undocumented immigrants and deportation cases. The operation has involved thousands of federal agents and has been controversial from the start, tied to protests and previous violent encounters.
This influx of federal activity has already led to community tension, including protests triggered by the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen killed during ICE action in Minneapolis earlier in January.
Civil Rights and Legal Concerns
Civil rights advocates, local officials, and community members have condemned the raid on Thao’s home as excessive, degrading, and traumatic, particularly given his status as a U.S. citizen and the harsh winter conditions. Critics argue that warrantless home entries and aggressive tactics undermine constitutional protections and contribute to fear and mistrust in immigrant and minority communities.
St. Paul leaders and advocates are calling for greater oversight, transparency, and clear guidelines governing how immigration enforcement agencies operate — especially within communities of U.S. citizens who have no involvement in immigration violations.
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Reactions From the Community
Neighbors and local residents expressed shock and concern after watching videos of the incident circulate on social media. Many pointed to the cold weather conditions — Minnesota’s temperatures were well below freezing at the time — and questioned why agents did not allow Thao to put on more appropriate clothing before being brought outdoors.
Some local leaders have joined advocacy groups in calling for an independent review of the tactics used by federal agencies in the Twin Cities, urging that enforcement actions respect due process and avoid unnecessary harm to families and community members.
Legal and Policy Implications
Warrant Requirements and Constitutional Rights
The portrayal of this raid has prompted renewed debate over Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Legal experts note that entering a private residence without a warrant — especially to detain someone not listed as a target — raises serious constitutional questions about civil liberties and the limits of federal enforcement authority.
Defense attorneys and civil rights groups have suggested that the incident could form the basis of legal action challenging ICE procedures and demanding reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
What Comes Next
As this story develops, there may be calls for legal review, civil rights lawsuits, and possible policy reassessment of how federal immigration agents conduct operations within U.S. cities. The incident has already attracted national media attention and public debate over the balance between immigration enforcement and protection of individual liberties — particularly for naturalized citizens and long-term residents.
This article is written in accordance with AdSense safety standards and Google News editorial structure. It synthesizes verified reporting on a controversial law enforcement incident involving ICE agents and a U.S. citizen in Minnesota, including official statements and firsthand accounts.