Federal immigration agents conducted a raid Sunday at a residence in St. Paul, Minnesota, that resulted in a U.S. citizen being detained under controversial circumstances. Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forced entry into the home without presenting a warrant, according to family members and video evidence reviewed by news organizations. 

The man, identified by family as ChongLy “Scott” Thao, is a naturalized U.S. citizen. During the operation, he was handcuffed and taken outside in freezing temperatures wearing only underwear, sandals, and a blanket. Neighbors recorded parts of the event and were seen outside the home during the detention. After being transported and photographed in the open air, agents determined he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record and returned him to the residence later that day. 

Federal officials described the action as part of an operation to locate two convicted sex offenders believed to be at the address and said the man initially matched descriptions of those targets and did not comply with identification procedures. The family disputes this characterization and disputes the legality of the entry and treatment. 

The incident has drawn attention amid broader criticism of immigration enforcement tactics by ICE in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, where other aggressive detainments and conflicts have occurred in recent weeks, including collisions between agents and local residents.

Sources: Reuters, AP News, The Independent