Controversial Pardon by Minnesota Governor
The Department of Homeland Security has publicly criticized Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz for granting a pardon to an illegal immigrant who had committed serious sex crimes against children.
A Laotian immigrant, Tu Luu Van, had pleaded guilty to repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. However, this pardon effectively shielded him from deportation.
DHS noted that Van was facing deportation just a week after the pardon, which blocked his removal from the country.
Convicted in 2005 for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Van received his pardon more than two decades later under the Walz administration. The Minnesota Board of Pardons, which consists of the governor, attorney general, and chief justice, made the decision.
According to reports, Van downplayed his actions, suggesting, “I made a mistake, but it was a small one,” and attributed his behavior to cultural norms regarding marriage and sex at a young age.
He allegedly offered the victim $10 to remain silent about the attacks.
Van was sentenced to 144 months in prison but reportedly avoided the full term after agreeing to a 30-year suspended sentence, which he completed in 2019 before being pardoned seven years later.
DHS emphasized that Van’s deportation was blocked immediately following the governor’s decision to pardon him.
Lauren Biss, Acting Assistant Secretary of DHS, expressed disapproval, stating, “Governor Tim Walz’s decision to pardon an illegal alien and convicted child rapist is terrible.” She highlighted the risks posed by such actions, saying it protects criminal illegal immigrants.
Supporters of the pardon pointed to a thorough process that included statements from the victim expressing forgiveness and assessments recommending clemency from the Pardon Review Board. Keith Ellison, Minnesota’s Attorney General, insisted that DHS misrepresented the effects of the pardon, asserting it would not prevent Van’s deportation.
The governor’s office has not responded to requests for further clarification, but some comments from the victim have surfaced. She wrote about her forgiveness and desire for Van’s family to remain together, indicating he had changed since the abuse.
However, a report from the New York Times suggested there was pressure on the victim from her family regarding the plea deal, complicating the narrative surrounding this case.
