The Minnesota Board of Pardons awarded a full pardon on June 10 to Tue Lue Vang, a Laotian national convicted of repeatedly raping a child over multiple years beginning when she was 10 years old. The board, which consists of Gov. Tim Walz, state Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, granted clemency following a recommendation from the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission.

Documents reviewed by Fox News Digital show that the commission voted four to two to recommend the pardon for Vang, who was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in Ramsey County. Between 2002 and 2004, when Vang was between 18 and 20 years old, he had sexual intercourse with the victim four to six times. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, a sentence that was stayed in favor of 30 years of supervised probation. He ultimately served eight months at the county correctional workhouse and was discharged from probation early in 2019.

Vang entered the United States through California in 1994 and was granted legal status by the Clinton administration. He has six children with his wife, who remained with him throughout the proceedings.

What the Right Is Saying

Critics of the pardon decision point to the nature of the underlying offense as grounds for opposition. The two commissioners who voted against recommending clemency noted the serious nature of Vang's crimes.

Ramsey County Assistant Attorney Tami McConkey formally opposed the pardon on behalf of her office, citing multiple aggravating factors including that Vang abused the victim over an extended period and in one instance drove her to his home. She noted that "while Mr. Vang expresses shame and regret about what his children experience when they learn of the offense, he does not share any thoughts or insight about what the victim must have gone through."

Upon his arrest, a criminal complaint states that Vang told police: "I made a mistake, but this is a minor thing. It is a cultural thing in Thailand to marry and have sex with girls as young as 12." The complaint also notes he stated the victim "should be arrested also because she was as much at fault."

Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis criticized the decision: "Governor Tim Walz's decision to pardon an illegal alien convicted child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting. These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting."

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive advocates point to several factors cited by commissioners who supported the pardon. Commissioner Nadine Graves noted that the victim herself supported granting clemency in this case, writing that "the victim supports this pardon." She also highlighted Vang's remorse and his early discharge from probation as factors in her recommendation.

Commissioner Zach Linstrom wrote that "the kids not having a father is not in the best interest of society," referring to Vang's six children. He additionally noted both the victim's support and the applicant's wife supporting the pardon.

Artika Roller, another commissioner who voted in favor of the pardon, wrote that "the applicant stated the need for clemency related to immigration issues." Graves echoed this concern, noting Vang has "immigration concerns" as a factor.

Commissioner Perry Moriearty also supported the recommendation. Graves noted that Vang "retracted his prior statement about this being a result of culture" and "admits this was wrong then and will always be wrong."

What the Numbers Show

Vang was between 18 and 20 years old when he committed the offenses against the victim, who was in fourth grade at the time of the first rape.

He received a 12-year prison sentence that was stayed in favor of 30 years of supervised probation with one year of local confinement. He served approximately eight months at the county correctional workhouse before being discharged from probation early in 2019.

The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission voted four to two to recommend clemency. The full Board of Pardons consists of three members: Walz, Ellison and Chief Justice Hudson.

Vang has six children with his wife, who according to commissioners supported the pardon application.

The Bottom Line

The pardon grants Vang a clean slate as he faced potential deportation proceedings. The case illustrates the intersection of criminal justice and immigration policy in states that have adopted sanctuary policies. Critics argue the decision prioritizes illegal immigrants over public safety, while supporters point to factors including victim support and rehabilitation evidence cited by commissioners who recommended clemency. The board's unanimous approval of the commission's recommendation marks a rare instance of full pardon for such serious offenses.

What happens next: Vang remains in the United States following the June 10 pardon. Immigration enforcement proceedings against him have effectively been neutralized by the gubernatorial clemency.