The pardon of a Minnesota immigrant convicted of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl, is getting attention from the Department of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n
In 2005, Tou Lue Vang pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl, in a plea deal that kept him from going to prison.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last month, the Minnesota Board of Pardons granted a reprieve to Vang, after he submitted a letter expressing regret for what he did. Other family members, and the victim in this case, wrote letters on his behalf.<\/p>\n
The Board of Pardons consists of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson. They say they took the victim’s statement into account, before granting Vang’s pardon.<\/p>\n
But the Department of Homeland Security released its own statement about Vang’s case, saying, “Governor Walz’s decision to pardon an illegal alien convicted child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting,” the statement said. “These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some Republican lawmakers, including U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, also said they are angered by the ruling. He posted on X, “I’m angry and disgusted at yet another action by our feckless governor that puts violent illegal aliens ahead of innocent Americans.”<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Ellison’s office also released a statement saying, “The Minnesota Board of Pardons made the unanimous decision to grant Tou Vang this pardon after an exhaustive process which included a statement of support from the victim, a recommendation to grant the pardon from the Clemency Review Commission, and a large number of community support letters.”<\/p>\n
The statement continued to say, “DHS is lying through their teeth about this pardon. It does not protect Vang from deportation,” adding that “the Trump Administration does not have to restore his green card.” \u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellison’s office added that they have denied pardons to three other men convicted of sex crimes, who are facing deportation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When law enforcement initially interviewed Vang, he called the sex abuse a minor thing and blamed it on cultural norms in Thailand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But in his letter asking for a pardon, Vang said he takes full responsibility for his mistakes and is no longer the person he once was.\u00a0<\/p>\n
DHS has criticized Walz and Minnesota for multiple<\/a> previous pardons<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you know of a child who may have been a victim of exploitation, call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678<\/a> or visit the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sexual Assault Resources<\/p>\n General Sites for information related to sexual assault and resources throughout Minnesota:<\/p>\n General Sexual Assault Websites:<\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n