Gov Tim Walz pardons illegal immigrant convicted of child sexual assault: DHS
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Minnesota officials, including Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, last month pardoned an illegal immigrant who was previously convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl and was scheduled for deportation.
On the recommendation of the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission (CRC), the Minnesota Pardon Board, led by Walz, state Attorney General Keith Ellison and state Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, granted clemency for Tou Lue Vang, a 42-year-old Laotian national, at its June 10 meeting, according to a letter informing Vang of the decision from Carli Stark, executive director of the state CRC.
The pardon essentially gave Wang a clean slate.
“Your pardon is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of the work you have done since your conviction,” Stark wrote in his letter to Vang.
TIM WALZ Pardons ILLEGAL ALIEN CONVICTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY BEFORE HE WAS DELIVERED TO LAOS
Just before he was expected to be extradited back to Loas, the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission voted to pardon 42-year-old Tou Lue Vang despite his conviction for sexually assaulting a teenage girl. (Getty Images; Department of Homeland Security)
Vang was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2006. He sexually assaulted the girl multiple times between 2002 and 2006.
At one point, he offered her $10 to keep quiet about the harassment, according to DHS.
He pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct in a plea deal that spared him from going to prison.
“Governor Tim Walz’s decision to pardon a convicted illegal alien child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting,” Acting DHS Deputy Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “These are criminal, illegal aliens that he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting.”
A COLUMBIAN CITIZEN WAS SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPING AND NURSING A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN MISSOURI
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is part of the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which granted clemency to Laotian national sex offender Tou Lue Vang. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, File)
Bis noted that Vang lost his legal status after his conviction.
Fox News Digital reached out to Walz, the White House and the Ramsey County District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting Vang in connection with the attacks.
Vang admitted to having sexual intercourse with the girl when he was arrested on charges in 2005, but blamed it on cultural norms in Thailand, according to the complaint obtained by the New York Times.
The nine-member CRC voted to approve Mr. Wang’s petition in April. Four members voted in favor, two voted against and three members were absent, the Times reported.
The board considers the commission’s review but has final authority to grant or deny pardons.
In his application, Vang cited years of rehabilitation and argued that he took full responsibility for his actions.
WALZ’S POST SAYING SCOTUS DAUGHTERS’ DECISION WAS ‘CRUEL’ DRIVES REACTION ON THE INTERNET, Critics Reveal What’s More Cruel
Wang entered the United States via California in 1994 and was granted legal status by the Clinton administration. This status was revoked upon his conviction and final dismissal in 2006.
He was detained by federal authorities last year as part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Walz and Minnesota officials for their sanctuary policies that protect illegal immigrants, even those convicted of violent crimes, from federal authorities.
DHS noted that the Review Commission had previously granted amnesty to undocumented immigrants.
In May, the state pardoned Jai Vang, a Laotian citizen whose criminal history included theft, armed robbery of a business, and drunk driving.
