Following Thursday’s press conference addressing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) mischaracterization of events surrounding the transfer of custody of two individuals—Meng Khong Yang and Joshua Fornoh—the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is taking the unprecedented step of releasing the video shown at the briefing to set the record straight.

The DOC coordinated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 12 to release both individuals into ICE custody, as part of a routine process that occurs in every single case involving ICE detainers. This transfer was conducted in person at a DOC facility, with ICE agents on-site to take custody.

Despite the clear and documented transfer, both individuals were later listed in a DHS press release dated January 13 as having been “arrested yesterday during Operation Metro Surge.” This narrative falsely implies that these individuals were released into the community and re-arrested by federal agents. That is simply untrue.

“The facts matter,” said DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell. “These individuals were never released into the community. They were handed directly to ICE in a secure, controlled setting. We informed ICE well in advance, and they coordinated with us to pick them up inside our facility. We have the video to prove it.”

The DOC is releasing that video to news outlets and the public today. A screenshot of the misleading DHS press release is also being made available for context.

“It is disturbing that DHS continues to issue inaccurate statements that erode public trust,” Commissioner Schnell added. “We will not allow misinformation to go unchecked—especially when it threatens the integrity of public safety agencies and undermines transparency.”

The DOC remains committed to truth, accountability, and a shared mission of public safety grounded in facts—not fear.