Governor Grants Clemency to Convicted Child Rapist
A 42-year-old undocumented immigrant, Tu Lu Van, who had been convicted of repeatedly raping a child, received clemency from the Minnesota Board of Pardons, as recommended by state officials, who expressed “immigration concerns.”
Documents from the board, which voted 4-2 in favor of the pardon, reveal that Van admitted to sexually assaulting the girl for several years, beginning when she was just 10. Those who voted against the pardon noted the severity of his crimes, while the majority pointed to the fears surrounding his potential deportation.
Zach Lindstrom, one of the supporters of the pardon, argued that Van’s six children are “a very tough case,” suggesting that children without fathers are not beneficial for society. Another board member, Altika Lawler, highlighted the immigration issues raised by Van himself in his clemency request.
On June 10, following these recommendations, the Minnesota Board of Pardons, including Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, granted Van a full pardon, essentially resetting his legal status.
In response to the clemency decision, Lauren Biss from the Department of Homeland Security criticized the action, labeling it as “disgusting.” She expressed concern over politicians who protect convicted criminals who are illegally residing in the country.
Van came to the U.S. in 1994 and had been granted legal status in the past. The abuse of the victim, which included multiple incidents between 2002 and 2004, took place in St. Paul, Minnesota. During the assaults, the victim reportedly struggled to comprehend the situation and felt pressured into silence, even receiving monetary offers from Van to keep quiet.
Although the judge did not specifically weigh in on the pardon, Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Tami McConkie opposed it, mentioning that the victim had faced familial pressure to not cooperate with authorities. Van had initially been sentenced to 12 years but served only eight months due to a stayed sentence and lengthy probation.
McConkie pointed out that the case was complicated by Van’s prolonged abuse of the victim, which included disturbing details about transporting her to places where the abuse occurred without using any form of protection.
When confronted by police, Van attributed his actions to cultural differences, minimizing the gravity of the victimization. Despite these defensive remarks, some board members noted that the victim’s support and family forgiveness were factors in their recommendation for clemency.
In a clemency application, Van expressed remorse for his actions and worry that deportation would mean losing contact with his children. He faced imminent deportation following his ICE detention, illustrating the precariousness of his situation.
Despite the clemency, former Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he had acted to revoke Van’s legal status, ensuring his removal from the U.S. Rubio emphasized that American citizens should not have to worry about foreign sex offenders living among them.
