Full Breakdown
ICE Raid Sparks Outrage in Minnesota After Mistaken Detention of U.S. Citizen
1/20/2026, 4:06:29 AM
Incident Overview: Mistaken Detention of ChongLy Thao
On January 19, 2026, federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid in St. Paul, Minnesota, resulting in the mistaken detention of 56-year-old ChongLy Thao, a naturalized U.S. citizen. Thao was forcibly removed from his home while wearing only shorts and Crocs, covered with a blanket belonging to his grandson. The incident, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media, has drawn significant public outrage and raised concerns about ICE's tactics amid President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement policies.
Background: Context of the Raid
ICE stated that the operation targeted two convicted sex offenders believed to be residing at Thao's address. However, Thao's family disputes this claim, asserting they have lived in the home for two years and suspect that ICE was searching for a previous resident. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the operation, stating that Thao matched the description of the suspects and refused to be fingerprinted or facially identified, which led to his detention as a safety precaution.
Community Reaction and Criticism
Local officials and community members have expressed outrage over the incident. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her criticized ICE's actions, stating that the agency did not verify Thao's identity before detaining him. She emphasized the fear this incident has instilled in the Hmong-American community, who now feel more threatened by ICE than by past political regimes in Laos. Thao himself expressed his humiliation and fear during the ordeal, questioning, "If this is going to turn out to be America, what are we doing here?"
Official Statements
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "As with any law enforcement agency, it is standard protocol to hold all individuals in a house of an operation for safety of the public and law enforcement." However, this justification has not quelled public concern over the aggressive tactics employed by ICE, especially following the recent fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While ICE maintains that Thao was living with the targets of their investigation, family members assert that the agency's claims are unfounded. Additionally, there are discrepancies regarding the nature of the warrant used during the raid, with neighbors reporting that agents did not present a warrant at the time of the operation.
Broader Implications
The incident has intensified scrutiny of ICE's enforcement strategies in Minnesota, where approximately 3,000 agents have been deployed as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Community members have begun organizing patrols to monitor ICE activity, and protests against the agency's tactics have become increasingly common. The situation reflects a growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local communities, particularly among immigrant populations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They just took me out there with no clothes on and then just covered with my grandson’s blanket. Yeah, they just took me out there and I was like, ‘Man, this is. this is embarrassing,” — ChongLy Thao
- “It is heartbreaking. It is infuriating to see U.S. citizens, and this gentleman was a U.S. citizen, ripped out of his house without a shirt on, without a coat, without pants, wearing his boxers and Crocs. I don't know how anyone could watch that happen to anyone,” — Mark Goldberg, Community Member
- “If this is going to turn out to be America, what are we doing here? Why are we here?” — ChongLy Thao
The incident involving ChongLy Thao serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and human costs associated with immigration enforcement in the United States, raising critical questions about the balance between public safety and civil rights.
