Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined state officials in granting a pardon to an illegal immigrant convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl, blocking his deportation and sparking fierce criticism from federal authorities who called the decision disgusting.
Board Grants Clemency to Convicted Child Predator
The Minnesota Board of Pardons, consisting of Governor Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, approved the pardon for Tou Lue Vang, 42, at their June 10 meeting. Vang, a Laos national, was convicted in 2006 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl between 2002 and 2006. At one point during the abuse, he offered the child $10 to remain silent about his crimes.
Vang entered the United States through California in 1994 and received legal status under the Clinton administration. His legal status was revoked following his conviction and final removal order in 2006. A plea deal spared him from prison time despite the severity of his crimes. Federal authorities detained him last year during Operation Metro Surge, part of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota.
Federal Officials Condemn Sanctuary Policies
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis of the Department of Homeland Security issued a sharp rebuke of the decision. She stated that Walz’s choice to pardon an illegal alien convicted of child rape so he could remain in the country was disgusting. Bis emphasized that Vang represents exactly the type of criminal illegal alien that Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting from federal enforcement. The pardon effectively prevents his deportation despite losing legal status nearly two decades ago.
The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission, a nine-member body, voted 4-2 to recommend the pardon in April, with three members absent. In his application, Vang cited years of rehabilitation and claimed he had taken full responsibility for his actions. When arrested in 2005, he admitted sexual contact with the girl but blamed cultural norms from Thailand, according to court documents.
Pattern of Controversial Pardons Emerges
This marks the second controversial pardon for undocumented immigrants in recent months. In May, Minnesota officials pardoned Jai Vang, a Laotian citizen with convictions for robbery, armed robbery of a business, and driving under the influence. President Trump has repeatedly criticized Walz and Minnesota officials for sanctuary policies that shield illegal immigrants, including violent criminals, from federal authorities. The Clemency Review Commission director sent Vang a letter calling his pardon a notable achievement and a reflection of work done since his conviction.
Walz is disgusting. How can he pardon someone who abuses a child? It seems Democrats think a criminal has more rights than a victim. Shame on him.
Remove Walz. He is a traitor to the United States and a professional liar. He has no regard for anyone who is not illegal. The felon that he pardoned, does not deserve to continue living. He repeatedly raped the victim and destroyed her. This puts Walz in the same category as the felon. The family of the victim should sue Walz personally and destroy him as he has destroyed the rule of law.