Governor Tim Walz (D-MN), whom we are very, very fortunate is not Vice President of the United States, in his eagerness to protect illegal immigrants, goes out of his way to pardon an illegal with a past felony conviction, to try to keep him from being deported.
From the New York Post:
Tim Walz pardons illegal alien convicted of armed robbery before ICE deportation to Laos
By Peter D’Abrosca, Fox News | Friday, May 29, 2026 | 3:49 AM EDT
Minnesota’s Democratic governor on Wednesday pardoned an illegal alien previously convicted of armed robbery before he could be deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Jai Vang, an illegal alien from Laos, was convicted of aiding and abetting and armed robbery in Hennepin County in 1994, according to FOX 9.
The incident occurred when he was 18 years old.
He served his prison term, and was released back into the United States.
That’s the first problem: after his prison term, he was released back into the United States rather than being deported at that point. That was 1994, when Bill Clinton was President, so it was yet another soft-hearted Democrat who didn’t enforce our immigration laws.
He was arrested by ICE as part of Operation Metro Surge in the Minneapolis area in January, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) release from the time.
So, Minnesota’s as-masculine-as-James-Talarico Governor never saw a reason to pardon Mr Vang and get him on the path to citizenship before, but just left him out on the streets until he wanted to try to resist President Trump’s attempts to actually enforce the laws.
When Gov. Tim Walz learned of Vang’s arrest by the federal government, and that Vang had requested clemency to avoid being deported in June, the governor called a special session of the state’s Board of Pardons’ Clemency Review Commission to ensure the case was reviewed before Vang’s deportation. could be completed.
The Clemency Review Commission, which was joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and state supreme court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, voted unanimously to pardon Vang.
Minnesota does not give the governor sole pardon and clemency power; Mr Walz had to take extra measures to get consent from Natalie Hudson and Keith bin Ellison to issue the pardon. Mr bin Ellison was the Attorney General who insisted on more serious charges against former police officer Derek Chauvin, so it isn’t like he is lenient in charges against police officers, only real criminals.
The commission reasoned that Vang hadn’t committed further crimes since he was released from prison, had started a family and owns a local painting business.
Let’s see, Mr Vang, a convicted felon and illegal immigrant, “owns a local painting business.” What are the odds that some or most or even all of Mr Vang’s employees are also here illegally? The Post story doesn’t tell us, but the probability that he did employ other illegals is very high, and ICE should investigate those employees.
During the hearing, Walz inaccurately referred to Vang as a “citizen.”
He said Vang has become a “critical member of the community” since his release from prison.
“I can find no reason how Minnesota will be safer or better if Mr. Vang is deported to a country he has not been to since he was a child. I do not see how it would serve his family, nor the economic interest where we have a taxpaying citizen who is creating job growth and living a life free from any criminal activity,” Walz said.
If there is a demand for Mr Vang’s painting business, that demand would still exist and create the opportunity to fill it by an actual American citizen. We don’t need convicted felons here.
I’m a little unclear on what relevance his being issued a pardon have on his immigration proceedings.
He was pardoned for a state crime. Immigration is federal.
Plus a pardon does not vacate the conviction, only relieves the convicted of the consequences.
He’s still a convicted felon illegal alien, and should, therefore, still be eligible for immediate deportation. A pardon from the state is irrelevant.
What am I missing?
The pardon means that he is not a convicted felon, which supposedly strengthens his case for leniency. It also means he can apply for a green card and take the first steps to citizenship. It shouldn’t make any difference to a sane immigration judge, but it could.
That’s not my understanding.
IANAL, but a quick search with the help of an AI tool returned this:
Q: In Minnesota, if a person receives a pardon from the governor is he still considered a convicted felon?
“Yes, but with significant legal distinctions. While the individual technically has a prior conviction on record, a granted pardon in Minnesota sets aside the conviction and purges it from the individual’s criminal record for most purposes.
Specifically:
General Disclosure: The individual is not required to disclose the conviction to employers, landlords, or in most civil contexts.
Exceptions: The conviction must still be disclosed in two specific scenarios
During judicial proceedings (e.g., if testifying in court or facing future prosecution).”:
[Bold Added]
I’d think that removal proceedings would be considered a judicial proceeding and would fall under the exception, so for the purposes of Immigration law, I’d think he’d still be considered a felon.
Also:
Q: If an illegal alien receives a pardon for a state felony can he still be deported?
“Limitations of State Pardons
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a state pardon only waives deportability for four specific categories of crimes:
Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)
Multiple Criminal Convictions
Aggravated Felonies
High-Speed Flight from an Immigration Checkpoint
If the pardoned felony falls outside these categories, the pardon provides no protection against deportation.”