U.S. Citizen Says ICE Detained Him, Forced Him Outside in Underwear
9 hours ago
A U.S. citizen in St. Paul, Minnesota, says federal immigration agents forcibly entered his home without a warrant, detained him at gunpoint and led him outside in his underwear in freezing temperatures. The incident, captured on video and reviewed by The Associated Press, has drawn significant local attention and criticism.
ChongLy “Scott” Thao told reporters that ICE agents broke down his door Sunday afternoon, pointed guns at him and his family, and handcuffed him while his young grandson watched and cried. Thao said he was wearing only sandals and underwear with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders when agents escorted him outdoors.
According to his account, agents then drove him to a remote area in the cold, made him step out of the vehicle for photographs and initially refused to let him retrieve his identification. He told authorities he feared he would be beaten. Videos show neighbors blowing whistles and shouting at the agents to leave the family alone.
Thao said authorities later realized he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record and returned him to his home without explanation or apology
ChongLy “Scott” Thao told reporters that ICE agents broke down his door Sunday afternoon, pointed guns at him and his family, and handcuffed him while his young grandson watched and cried. Thao said he was wearing only sandals and underwear with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders when agents escorted him outdoors.
According to his account, agents then drove him to a remote area in the cold, made him step out of the vehicle for photographs and initially refused to let him retrieve his identification. He told authorities he feared he would be beaten. Videos show neighbors blowing whistles and shouting at the agents to leave the family alone.
Thao said authorities later realized he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record and returned him to his home without explanation or apology
