Rubio says convicted child abuser pardoned by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is sent from US | Today’s news
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported Tou Lue Vang, a Lao national who was pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz despite a previous conviction for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.
According to DHS, Vang was removed from the United States after his legal status was terminated following a pardon.
Rubio: ‘He will never again pose a threat to any American’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wang’s deportation was necessary to protect public safety.
“Just weeks ago, a foreign child abuser was released to endanger America’s children again after being pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz,” Rubio said.
He added that Vang confessed to “heinous crimes” against the 10-year-old girl and tried to pay the victim to remain silent.
“That is why I have terminated his legal status in the United States. Vang has now been removed from our country and will never again pose a threat to any American,” Rubio told Fox News Digital.
Rubio also criticized Walz’s decision, saying the governor granted Wang a pardon “just days before he was scheduled to be deported.”
Convicted of assaulting a child
According to DHS, Vang was convicted in 2006 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for repeatedly sexually assaulting the girl between 2002 and 2004, starting when she was 10 years old.
Authorities said Vang offered the victim $10 to keep quiet about the abuse and later told investigators his actions were a “cultural thing,” claiming the child was equally responsible.
Pardons and immigration proceedings
DHS said an immigration judge issued a final order of removal against Vang in October 2006 after his conviction.
ICE arrested him in December 2025, but he was released from custody in February 2026 on a federal court order. On June 10, 2026, the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission voted to grant him clemency.
DHS criticizes Walz
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis condemned the pardon, saying, “ICE deported Tou Vang, an illegal alien convicted child molester. This monster repeatedly sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl.”
She added: “Tim Walz pardoned this sex offender in an effort to allow him to remain in our country. These are the criminal illegal aliens he and sanctuary politicians are protecting. We will always put the safety of the American people first.”
Legal status revoked after conviction
Vang entered the United States through California in 1994 and was granted legal status during the Clinton administration. According to DHS, that status was revoked after his conviction in 2006 and the issuance of a final order of removal.
