Secretary of State Marco Rubio has terminated Tue Lue Vang’s legal status in the United States, enabling his deportation to Laos after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz pardoned him.
The U.S. Department of State confirmed that Rubio took action to ensure the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could remove Vang from the country. This occurred despite Minnesota’s Board of Pardons, which includes Attorney General Keith Ellison and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, granting Vang a pardon on June 10.
Vang was convicted in 2006 for first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He repeatedly raped a 10-year-old girl between 2002 and 2004. When confronted by authorities, he claimed it was normal “to marry and have sex with girls as young as 12” and referred to his crimes as “a minor thing.” Vang also attempted to pay the child for her silence. He served eight months in a county workhouse.
The Clemency Review Commission sent Vang a letter calling the pardon “a notable achievement and a reflection of the work you have done since your conviction.”
Governor Walz defended his decision by stating he found no reason why Minnesota would be safer or better if Vang were deported.
Ramsey County prosecutors had opposed the pardon, but Walz overruled their objections. This follows a similar pardon in May for another Laotian criminal illegal alien — a convicted armed robber.
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis described Walz’s decision as “disgusting,” accusing Minnesota of protecting criminal illegal aliens.
Rubio terminated Vang’s legal status through the State Department, clearing the path for DHS to take custody and remove him. The removal occurred despite Laos having no formal repatriation agreement with the United States.
Secretary Rubio stated: “Americans should never have to live in fear that foreign sex predators — shielded from deportation by their own elected officials — could endanger them or their children.”
