Tou Lue Vang, a man from Laos, admitted in 2005 to sexually abusing a 10-year-old child. He accepted a sentence of 30 years probation to avoid prison time.
State officials allowed Vang to complete his probation early and then pardoned him in June by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. This pardon would have permitted Vang to remain in the United States until intervention by Minnesota Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio stated that just days before Vang was scheduled for deportation, Governor Walz issued the pardon, freeing him to endanger American children. Rubio revoked Vang’s legal status, resulting in federal custody and his removal from the country.
In a statement supporting the pardon, the victim wrote: “What happened to me was wrong, but I have had many years to think about this. I have made my peace with it. I forgive him… I want his family to stay together here. His children need their father.”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison defended the pardon, stating that the Board of Pardons made a unanimous decision after receiving a victim’s statement of support and numerous community letters.
The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office indicated that the plea deal was offered because the victim was pressured by her family members to avoid testifying.
Rubio concluded: “Americans must never be forced by their elected leaders to live alongside foreign sex criminals who have no right to begin with to reside in our country.”
