Immigrant who said ‘it is cultural to marry a 12-year-old’ and was facing deportation pardoned by Democrats in Minnesota
TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 02, 2026, 22:23 IST
Immigrant who said ‘it is cultural to marry a 12-year-old’ and was facing deportation pardoned by Democrats in Minnesota
Who Is Tou Lue Vang? Sex Abuser Facing Deportation Pardoned in Minnesota
A Hmong immigrant scheduled for deportation following a conviction for child sexual abuse has been granted a full pardon by the Minnesota Board of Pardons. The controversial decision was criticised by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and federal immigration officials, who accuse state leadership of shielding a violent offender.
The board includes governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota supreme court chief justice Natalie Hudson, who voted to clear the criminal record of 42-year-old Tou Lue Vang on June 10. The decision blocked his removal from the country, which US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed was scheduled to take place just one week later.
Deportation U-turn
Federal authorities reacted with anger to the decision. They claimed it was an attempt by Democratic leadership to subvert federal immigration enforcement.
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis condemned the decision.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/immigrant-who-said-it-is-cultural-to-marry-a-12-year-old-and-was-facing-deportation-pardoned-by-democrats-in-minnesota/articleshow/132142177.cms