Horrific: Watch as ICE breaks down the door of the home of an elderly Hmong man, drags him out without clothes, and detains him. The man is a U.S. citizen…

The incident described in the headline occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota, involving ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a 56-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen of Hmong descent.

Federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forced entry into Thao’s home by breaking down the door, without presenting a warrant according to accounts from Thao, his family, and videos reviewed by multiple news outlets. Agents entered with guns drawn, pointed them at family members, and detained Thao at gunpoint. His daughter-in-law had woken him from a nap after hearing banging at the door, and he instructed her not to open it.
Thao was handcuffed and escorted outside in subfreezing temperatures—reportedly around 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit with bitter wind chills—wearing only underwear (described variably as boxer shorts or shorts), Crocs or sandals on his feet, and a blanket (reportedly his young grandson’s) draped over his shoulders. He was not allowed time to dress or retrieve identification, despite requests. A 4- or 5-year-old grandson witnessed the event and cried in fear as it unfolded.
Agents placed Thao in an SUV, drove him around for nearly an hour while questioning him, took his fingerprints, and eventually confirmed he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record. He was returned home later that day without any charges, explanation, or apology from the agents. Neighbors assisted in repairing the damaged door afterward.
Thao, born in Laos and a naturalized citizen for decades, expressed feelings of fear, shame, embarrassment, and desperation in interviews. He recounted shaking from the cold and the humiliation of being paraded out barely clothed. His family highlighted the irony and pain, noting that his adopted mother had fled Laos in the 1970s after supporting U.S. covert operations during the “Secret War,” aiding Hmong soldiers allied with American forces.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, a Hmong American and family friend, condemned the incident as unjustifiable and expressed being “livid.” She stated that “ICE is not doing what they say they’re doing,” referring to claims of targeted enforcement against serious criminals.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated the operation targeted two individuals from Laos wanted on suspicion of sexual assault, asserting they matched an address connected to the home. However, Thao and his family disputed any connection, stating the targets did not live there and that one may already have been incarcerated. The agency has not publicly addressed the lack of a warrant or the handling of Thao specifically in detail.
Videos and photos of the event, including bystander footage and images from Reuters photographers, circulated widely on social media and news platforms, sparking outrage over the treatment of a U.S. citizen, concerns about warrantless entries, and fears in Minnesota’s large Hmong community—the largest urban population in the U.S.—amid broader immigration enforcement surges.
This case has fueled discussions about oversight in federal immigration operations, potential overreach during high-profile crackdowns, and the risks of mistaken identity or broad tactics affecting citizens and legal residents. Thao was not the intended target, and no further action against him has been reported.