Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that federal immigration authorities have deported Tou Lue Vang, a Laotian national whose recent pardon by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Board of Pardons became the center of a political dispute over immigration enforcement.
DHS said Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Vang to Laos after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked his legal status.
Pardon drew national attention
Vang was convicted in 2005 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a 10-year-old child.
On June 10, the Minnesota Board of Pardons, consisting of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, voted to grant Vang clemency. According to state officials, the victim submitted a letter supporting the pardon.
The pardon cleared Vang’s criminal record under Minnesota law but did not prevent federal immigration authorities from pursuing his removal from the United States.
Trump administration criticized decision
Following the pardon, federal officials sharply criticized Minnesota leaders.
In announcing the deportation, the Department of Homeland Security posted on social media that ICE had deported “the illegal alien child rapist Gov. Tim Walz pardoned in an attempt to allow him to remain in our country.”
The agency added, “While Walz and his fellow sanctuary politicians fight to protect heinous criminals like this, we will continue putting the safety of the American people FIRST.”
Secretary Rubio subsequently revoked Vang’s legal status, allowing ICE to take him into custody before his removal to Laos.
