St. Paul Pardon Sparks Deportation Dispute
RAMSEY COUNTY — (trfnews.i234.me) — A Minnesota pardon has drawn sharp criticism from federal immigration officials.
The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission voted on June 10, 2026, to pardon Tou Lue Vang, 42.
Vang pleaded guilty in 2005 to first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under 13.
Ramsey County District Court imposed a 144-month sentence in February 2006.
However, the prison term was stayed.
Vang served time at the Ramsey County Workhouse. He also received 30 years of supervised probation.
His probation ended in March 2019.
DHS Says Pardon Could Affect Removal
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security condemned the pardon this week.
DHS said the pardon may remove the conviction supporting Vang’s deportation case.
According to DHS, Vang entered the United States through California in 1994.
Federal officials said his legal status was later revoked following the conviction.
An immigration judge issued a final removal order on October 31, 2006, DHS said.
Federal officials said Vang was scheduled for removal within weeks of the pardon.
Pardon Application Began in 2025
Court records show Vang applied for a pardon on July 21, 2025.
The commission notified Ramsey County District Court Judge Sara Grewing in December 2025.
Grewing took no position on the request.
The commission requested court records in January 2026.
It held Vang’s clemency hearing on April 3, 2026.
A letter confirming the pardon was dated June 11, 2026.
More information is available through the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission.
Federal and Political Responses
DHS accused Governor Tim Walz of supporting a pardon that could stop Vang’s removal.
The department also repeated allegations about statements Vang made during a police interview.
Those claims were attributed to DHS. They were not independently verified in the original report.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also criticized the timing.
ICE said the pardon came shortly before Vang’s planned removal.
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth also condemned the decision.
Demuth said the pardon showed weak public safety policies from Democratic leaders.
DHS also cited a separate May pardon involving Jai Vang.
The department said that the case involved robbery, armed robbery, and impaired driving convictions.
No connection between Tou Lue Vang and Jai Vang was stated in the provided records.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.