At a Glance
- ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a Minnesota grandfather and U.S. citizen for decades, was detained by ICE on January 18 while wearing only underwear, sandals, and a blanket in 12-degree weather.
- ICE claims they sought two “convicted sex offenders” and that Thao “matched the description,” but public records show neither suspect is on Minnesota’s sex-offender registry and no property link to Thao exists.
- Thao says agents broke down his door without a warrant, rejected his offer to show ID, and released him hours later without apology; the family is preparing a civil-rights lawsuit.
- Why it matters: The incident fuels debate over ICE tactics and potential civil-rights violations against citizens.
ICE agents stormed a St. Paul rental home on January 18 and led ChongLy “Scott” Thao outside in near-zero wind-chill, the grandfather claims. Thao, a U.S. citizen since leaving Laos decades ago, told the Associated Press he was handcuffed in front of his 4-year-old grandson and denied the chance to prove his citizenship on the spot.
Footage of the encounter spread rapidly online, showing Thao wrapped in a thin blanket while agents secured the scene. The family says agents forced entry after no one answered the door.
What ICE Says
Tricia McLaughlin, an ICE spokeswoman, said officers were hunting two men with final deportation orders: Lue Moua and Kongmeng Vang. ICE alleges both are convicted sex offenders and that Thao lives with them.
- Moua is wanted for sexual assault of a minor, rape, kidnapping, and domestic violence.
- Vang is wanted for sexual assault, gang activity, and assault.
McLaughlin added that Thao “matched the description of the targets” and that holding everyone inside is “standard protocol for safety.”
What Records Show
A News Of Los Angeles review of public documents finds:
- Neither Moua nor Vang appears on Minnesota’s sex-offender registry.
- No property records connect the two men to Thao’s address.
Family Denial
Louansee Moua, a relative and family spokesperson, disputes ICE’s narrative.
“Mr. Thao did not resist and went with agents voluntarily, despite the absence of an explanation for his detention at the time,” she said, calling the treatment “distressing and demeaning.”
Thao insists he has never seen Moua or Vang and that they do not live in the home.
How the Raid Unfolded
- Agents first stopped Thao’s son, Chris, while he drove a borrowed car whose registered owner shares a first name with one suspect.
- Officers then arrived at the house, banged on the door, and forced entry when no one responded.
- Inside, they pointed weapons at the family and handcuffed Thao.
- Thao asked his daughter-in-law to fetch his ID, but agents allegedly refused the document and later claimed he “refused to be fingerprinted or facially ID’d.”
- Thao was driven to an isolated location, photographed, and released within hours once his citizenship was confirmed.
Agents left without apologizing or addressing the damaged door, according to Thao.
Aftermath
Thao told the AP he now feels unsafe in his own home.
“What did I do wrong? I didn’t do anything,” he said.
The family has:
- Filed complaints with the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota.
- Filed complaints with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office.
- Begun seeking legal counsel to file a civil-rights lawsuit against DHS.
Louansee Moua urged the media to “avoid speculation and to respect their privacy while they pursue appropriate legal remedies.”
ICE has not answered follow-up questions about what specific evidence led agents to Thao’s residence.
