Tim Walz board pardons convicted child rapist over deportation concerns
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his state's pardon board granted a pardon to a convicted child rapist, citing concerns regarding his potential deportation. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from federal officials and political opponents.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of state-level clemency powers and federal immigration enforcement, sparking debate over the prioritization of criminal justice versus deportation policies.
A 42-year-old illegal immigrant convicted of repeatedly raping a child was awarded a pardon by Gov. Tim Walz’s board of pardons after the state’s clemency commission recommended it be granted to him due to "immigration concerns." Fox News Digital reviewed documents from the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission, which voted 4-2 to grant a pardon to Laotian national Tue Lue Vang following his conviction for criminal sexual conduct. Vang admitted to repeatedly raping a girl over a multi-year period beginning when she was 10 years old. While the two board members who voted against granting a pardon noted the serious nature of Vang’s offenses, the four members recommending a pardon each listed concern about him being deported.
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