ICE Agents Break Into St. Paul Residence Without Warrant ICE immigration officers entered ChongLy “Scott” Thao’s St. Paul home on a Sunday afternoon, brandishing no warrant and forcing him into handcuffs while his 4‑year‑old grandson watched [1]. Video captured agents dragging Thao, who was in underwear and a blanket, outside the house and later driving him to a remote, frigid location before releasing him after demanding his ID [1]. The incident occurred amid a broader surge of federal immigration enforcement across the Twin Cities [1].

DHS Claims Operation Targeted Two Convicted Sex Offenders The Department of Homeland Security described the raid as a “targeted operation” linked to two violent illegal‑alien sexual offenders, releasing photos and names of the alleged suspects [1]. Thao, a U.S. citizen for decades, denied any criminal history and said no such individuals ever lived at his address [1]. DHS later asked Thao to present identification before his release, a demand he said was initially blocked [1].

Mayor and Community Condemn Unlawful Enforcement Tactics St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her publicly denounced the raid as “un‑American” and warned that ICE was endangering residents rather than pursuing hardened criminals [1]. Local backlash grew as community leaders and advocacy groups called for investigations into the warrantless entry [1]. The episode adds to mounting criticism of ICE’s intensified actions in Minnesota’s urban centers [1].

Detained Minneapolis Residents Describe Cramped, Deprived Conditions Two Minneapolis men detained after a separate ICE sweep reported being held for several hours in 10‑by‑10‑foot cells equipped with a bench, flat‑screen TV, two‑way mirror and constant surveillance [2]. They described limited access to water, denied restroom use, pepper spray fired through a car vent, and tear‑gas deployment as they left the facility [2]. Both were released that evening without charges, underscoring concerns about due‑process violations during the crackdown [2].

Legal Experts Note Rights Amid Harsh Detention Practices Immigration attorneys emphasized that detainees retain basic rights, including access to counsel and a phone, even though immigration detention differs from criminal custody [2]. DHS defended its facilities, asserting provision of food, medical care and basic necessities, while lawsuits continue to challenge conditions and procedural safeguards [2]. The contrasting narratives highlight ongoing tension between federal enforcement objectives and civil‑rights protections in the Twin Cities [2].