Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, acting as part of the state's Board of Pardons, has pardoned Tou Lue Vang, a Laotian citizen convicted of child sexual assault. The pardon, granted on Tuesday, makes Vang ineligible for deportation from the United States.
Walz, alongside Chief Justice Susan Turner and Secretary of State Steve Simon, voted to grant Vang's pardon. The board's decision means Vang, who is also an illegal immigrant, will not be deported despite his conviction. The Board of Pardons is responsible for reviewing clemency requests and has the authority to pardon individuals or commute sentences.
Vang's case drew attention due to the nature of his conviction and his immigration status. The pardon effectively overturns a potential deportation order that would have resulted from his criminal conviction.