The Trump administration deported Laotian national Tou Lue Vang after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked his legal status. The action followed a June 10 pardon by the Minnesota Board of Pardons that included Gov. Tim Walz.
Rubio announced the revocation on July 10. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out the deportation the same day. Rubio stated in a video that Vang had been removed from the United States and would no longer pose a threat.
Vang was convicted in 2006 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child. An immigration judge issued a final deportation order on October 31 of that year. The Minnesota Board of Pardons, which also includes Attorney General Keith Ellison and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, granted the pardon after receiving letters of support, including one from the victim.
The board cited the victim's forgiveness as a key factor. Prosecutors from the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office opposed the pardon. Vang entered the United States in 1994 and received legal status under the Clinton administration.
A similar pardon was granted on May 27 to another Laotian immigrant, Jai Vang, who had multiple felony convictions.
