Full Breakdown
ICE Detains U.S. Citizen in Minnesota, Sparking Outrage
1/20/2026, 11:10:21 AM
Incident Overview: Detention of ChongLy Thao
On January 19, 2026, ChongLy Thao, a 56-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, was forcibly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in St. Paul, Minnesota. Thao, who was at home with his family, was taken outside in subfreezing temperatures while wearing only shorts and sandals, covered with a blanket. This incident occurred during a targeted operation aimed at two convicted sex offenders believed to be residing at the same address. Thao's family disputes this claim, asserting they have lived in the home for two years without any connection to the alleged offenders.
Background & Context: ICE Operations in Minnesota
The incident is part of a broader pattern of aggressive immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has seen a significant increase in ICE operations in the Minneapolis area. Approximately 3,000 agents have been deployed, leading to heightened tensions within immigrant communities. The recent fatal shooting of Renee Good, a mother of three, by an ICE agent has further intensified public scrutiny and protests against federal immigration tactics.
Community Response and Criticism
Local officials, including St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, have expressed outrage over Thao's treatment. Mayor Her criticized ICE for not verifying Thao's identity before detaining him, stating, "They didn't ask for ID. They didn't ask to verify if it was the right person." The incident has sparked fear within the Hmong-American community, with many feeling more threatened by ICE than by past political regimes in Laos.
Thao's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover expenses related to the incident, including repairs to their broken door. They have also publicly condemned the actions of ICE as "unnecessary, degrading, and deeply traumatizing."
Official Statements & Responses
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the operation, stating that Thao matched the description of the targets and that it is standard protocol to detain all individuals present during such operations for safety reasons. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that the agency was investigating two convicted sex offenders at the address. However, Thao's family has categorically disputed this account, asserting that only they reside in the home.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding the justification for Thao's detention. While DHS claims he was living with the targets, Thao's family insists this is false. Additionally, the exact nature of the alleged offenses of the individuals ICE was pursuing remains unclear, as DHS has not disclosed their identities or the basis for their investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was praying. I was like, God, please help me, I didn't do anything wrong. Why do they do this to me? Without my clothes on,” — ChongLy Thao
- “If this is going to turn out to be America, what are we doing here? Why are we here?” — ChongLy Thao
- “They’re not going after hardened criminals. They’re going after anyone and everyone in their path. It is unacceptable and un-American.” — Mayor Kaohly Her
What's Next: Legal Actions and Ongoing Protests
Thao has indicated plans to file a civil rights lawsuit against DHS, citing his traumatic experience and the violation of his rights as a U.S. citizen. Protests against ICE's tactics are expected to continue in the Twin Cities, as community members rally for accountability and reform in immigration enforcement practices.
