government
Homeland Security slams Walz 3 weeks after Minnesota board pardons child sex offender
By Sabrina Salguero Del Cid at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 2, 2026
· 5 min read
Federal agencies are blasting Gov. Tim Walz for the pardoning of a child sex offender who had his request granted three weeks ago.
On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security condemned Walz for pardoning Tou Lue Vang, who was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2006 for ...
Key takeaway On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security condemned Walz for pardoning Tou Lue Vang, who was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2006 for repeatedly assaulting a child.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Minnesota pardon of Tou Lue Vang raises questions about the state's priorities in balancing public safety and rehabilitation. As a convicted child sex offender, Vang's case sparks concern among local residents, particularly those with children. The fact that Vang's pardon could potentially block his deportation highlights the complexities of Minnesota's sanctuary policies and their implications for federal immigration enforcement. The criticism from federal officials, including Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, underscores the tension between state and federal authorities on immigration issues. Locally, the decision may also impact how the community perceives the effectiveness of the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which consists of the governor, attorney general, and chief justice. As the story continues to unfold, Minneapolis residents will be watching to see how Governor Walz and other state officials respond to the backlash and whether the pardon will indeed prevent Vang's removal from the country.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Federal agencies are blasting Gov. Tim Walz for the pardoning of a child sex offender who had his request granted three weeks ago.
On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security condemned Walz for pardoning Tou Lue Vang, who was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2006 for ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sabrina Salguero Del Cid at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter