Tim Walz pardons illegal alien convicted of armed robbery before ICE deportation to Laos

Minnesota's Democratic politician connected Wednesday pardoned an amerciable alien antecedently convicted of equipped robbery earlier helium could beryllium deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Jai Vang, an amerciable alien from Laos, was convicted of aiding and abetting and equipped robbery successful Hennepin County successful 1994, according to FOX 9. The incidental occurred erstwhile helium was 18 years old.

He served his situation term, and was released backmost into the United States.

Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., (L) leads a clemency proceeding for Laotian nationalist Jai Vang with Minnesota Chief Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson connected May 27, 2026. (KMSP)

He was arrested by ICE arsenic portion of Operation Metro Surge successful the Minneapolis country successful January, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) merchandise from the time.

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When Walz learned of Vang's apprehension by the national government, and that Vang had requested clemency to debar being deported successful June, the politician called a peculiar league of the state's Board of Pardons' Clemency Review Commission to guarantee the lawsuit was reviewed earlier Vang's deportation could beryllium completed.

The Clemency Review Commission, which was joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and authorities ultimate tribunal Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, voted unanimously to pardon Vang.

Jai Vang was arrested by national migration authorities successful Minnesota successful January 2026. (Department of Homeland Security)

The committee reasoned that Vang hadn't committed further crimes since helium was released from prison, had started a household and owns a section coating business.

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During the hearing, Walz inaccurately referred to Vang arsenic a "citizen."

He said Vang has go a "critical subordinate of the community" since his merchandise from prison.

"I tin find nary crushed however Minnesota volition beryllium safer oregon amended if Mr. Vang is deported to a state helium has not been to since helium was a child. I bash not spot however it would service his family, nor the economical involvement wherever we person a taxpaying national who is creating occupation maturation and surviving a beingness escaped from immoderate transgression activity," Walz said.

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Ellison, who joined by phone, noted that helium reviewed Vang's record and agreed with committee members' comments supporting Vang's petition for clemency.

Federal migration agents flip teardrop state during a location raid successful Minneapolis, Minn., connected Jan. 13, 2026, amid a crackdown connected undocumented immigrants nether Operation Metro Surge. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Walz bitterly fought the national authorities during Operation Metro Surge, echoing far-left rhetoric that compared ICE agents to Nazis. He referred to agents arsenic President Donald Trump's "modern-day Gestapo," which drew a crisp rebuke from then-Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.

Lyons implored Walz to code down the rhetoric, saying, "if the politician doesn’t similar the laws, he’s escaped to advocator that Congress alteration them, but helium should refrain from putting ICE officers successful information by likening them to 1 of the astir appalling groups successful history."

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Fox News Digital reached retired to Walz's office.

Fox News' Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.