Minnesota Investigates Possible Hmong American Kidnapping by ICE

Ramsey County officials say federal agents barged into a citizen's home without a warrant and detained him.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:21pm

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Ramsey County, Minnesota officials are investigating the arrest of a Hmong American man by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as a potential case of kidnapping, burglary, and false imprisonment. The incident, captured on video, showed ICE agents forcibly removing the man from his home in just his underwear and a blanket, despite him being a longtime U.S. citizen with no criminal record.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with Minnesota officials accusing the federal government of reneging on promises to cooperate with state investigations into alleged misconduct by federal agents. It also raises concerns about the treatment of minority communities by federal immigration authorities.

The details

In January, ICE agents bashed open the front door of ChongLy 'Scott' Thao's St. Paul home at gunpoint without a warrant, then led him outside in freezing conditions while he was only wearing his underwear and a blanket. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher say they will pursue information from the Department of Homeland Security to investigate whether any crimes were committed that they could prosecute under state or federal law.

  • In January, ICE agents arrested ChongLy 'Scott' Thao.
  • Ramsey County officials announced the investigation on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The players

ChongLy 'Scott' Thao

A Hmong American man who was arrested by ICE agents at his home in St. Paul, Minnesota, despite being a longtime U.S. citizen with no criminal record.

John Choi

The Ramsey County Attorney who is investigating the incident as a potential case of kidnapping, burglary, and false imprisonment.

Bob Fletcher

The Ramsey County Sheriff who is also investigating the incident and questioning whether the ICE agents' actions constituted good law enforcement.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees ICE and has so far refused to cooperate with state and local investigations into alleged misconduct by federal agents.

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What they’re saying

“There are many facts we don't know yet, but there's one that we do know. And that is that Mr. Thao is and has been an American citizen. There's not a dispute over that.”

— Bob Fletcher, Ramsey County Sheriff

“Is that good law enforcement, to take an American citizen out of their home and drive them around aimlessly, trying to determine what they can tell them?”

— Bob Fletcher, Ramsey County Sheriff

“This is not about, any type of predetermined agenda other than to seek the truth and to investigate the facts.”

— John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney

What’s next

Ramsey County officials say they will continue to pursue information from the Department of Homeland Security to determine if any crimes were committed that they could prosecute under state or federal law.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with Minnesota officials accusing the federal government of failing to cooperate with state investigations into alleged misconduct by federal agents. It also raises concerns about the treatment of minority communities by federal immigration authorities.