Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, grant a pardon to Tou Lue Vang, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl decades ago. Multiple outlets report that Vang was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse/child sexual assault involving repeated attacks against the child and that, after the criminal case, an immigration judge ordered his removal. Several sources say Vang had sought immigration relief tied to the pardon process and that the decision makes him ineligible for deportation.
According to the New York Times, Vang expresses regret for the abuse and faces criticism from the Trump administration, which accuses Walz of shielding an immigrant who committed a serious crime. Fox News and other outlets similarly describe the pardon as clearing him of the conviction for immigration enforcement purposes. The New York Post and Daily Mail also describe the case as involving an “illegal immigrant” and emphasize that the pardon occurs while the person was slated for deportation.
The reports also indicate that the Minnesota Board of Pardons includes Walz and that the pardon is issued through a board process. Some outlets cite letters of support and statements by Vang as part of the record considered by the board.
