Chongly Scott Thao ICE Detention 2026: Warrantless Raid Sparks Civil Rights Outcry

The sanctuary of a home turned into a scene of federal aggression. On January 18, 2026, federal agents breached the residence of Chongly 'Scott' Thao, a U.S. citizen, detaining him at gunpoint without a warrant in a move that has ignited fierce debate over constitutional protections.

The Chongly Scott Thao ICE Detention 2026 Incident

According to reports from the Associated Press, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents forced their way into Thao's St. Paul home while he was napping. Thao, a citizen for decades, was led outside in his underwear in subfreezing temperatures while his 4-year-old grandson watched in terror. Despite Thao's requests for his daughter-in-law to retrieve his ID, agents reportedly refused to look at it until hours later.

DHS Justification vs. Family Evidence

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the action as a 'targeted operation' seeking two convicted sex offenders allegedly residing at the location. However, a review of the Minnesota sex offender registry by the family showed no such individuals at the address. The family claims the raid was a case of mistaken identity involving a vehicle borrowed from a relative's boyfriend.

The incident is particularly poignant given Thao’s family history. His mother was a nurse who assisted CIA-backed forces in Laos during the 1960s, fleeing to the U.S. to escape communist persecution. Now, Thao says he no longer feels safe in the country his family fought to support.