ICE Detention of U.S. Citizen in Twin Cities Raises Questions About Warrantless Tactics and Identification

A St. Paul incident draws scrutiny as federal officials cite a targeted operation

A U.S. citizen in the Twin Cities metro says he was detained at gunpoint by federal immigration agents during a warrantless entry at his home and taken outside in subfreezing conditions wearing only underwear, as family members looked on. The episode, which was captured on video, has intensified local and national attention on immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota during a broader federal surge of activity in the region.

The man, identified as ChongLy “Scott” Thao, said the incident began Sunday afternoon, Jan. 18, 2026, when agents knocked and then forced entry after he instructed family not to open the door. Thao said agents pointed weapons at family members, handcuffed him, and led him outside in underwear and sandals, with a blanket around his shoulders. He said he repeatedly told agents he was a U.S. citizen and attempted to have family retrieve identification, but agents declined to review it at the scene.

Detention, transport, and release

Thao said agents transported him away from his home, where he was photographed and processed before being returned. He said agents ultimately confirmed his citizenship and released him without charges. Thao said he received no apology and reported property damage from the forced entry.

Federal officials have publicly characterized the action as part of a “targeted operation” seeking two convicted sex offenders believed to be associated with the address. In public statements, the government has asserted that Thao matched the description of the intended targets and that he initially refused certain identification steps. Thao and his family have disputed the government’s account, saying the individuals referenced by officials do not live at the residence and are unknown to them.

Local reaction and legal questions

Local elected leaders condemned the treatment shown in the video and raised concerns about warrantless searches and the handling of U.S. citizens during immigration operations. Civil rights attorneys familiar with the case have indicated that legal action is being prepared, with potential claims expected to focus on constitutional protections related to entry, detention, and use of force.

Key unresolved issues include:

• Whether agents had legal authority to force entry without presenting a warrant.
• What information led agents to associate the address with the stated targets.
• Why identification offered at the home was not reviewed before Thao was removed and transported.
• Whether internal policies governing contact with U.S. citizens were followed.

Part of a broader enforcement surge in Minnesota

The St. Paul detention comes amid heightened federal immigration activity in the Twin Cities in January 2026, a period that has included multiple contentious encounters and escalating community anxiety. The heightened scrutiny follows a separate, widely reported case earlier this month in which an ICE agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis during an enforcement operation, amplifying calls for transparency and independent review of federal tactics in the region.

The incident involving Thao has become a flashpoint because it involves a U.S. citizen, a forced entry, and video evidence showing the moment he was removed into freezing weather.

As of Jan. 20, 2026, federal agencies have not announced disciplinary action related to Thao’s detention, and the family’s dispute of the official account remains central to the developing legal and factual record.