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Marco Rubio: Pardoned Minnesota child sex offender deported from US, legal status revoked
By Sabrina Salguero Del Cid at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 10, 2026
· 2 min read
Federal officials announced Friday that they have deported a child sex offender who was pardoned in Minnesota last month.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Tou Lue Vang, originally of Laos, was revoked of his legal status. Rubio said federal agents took Vang into custody a...
Key takeaway Rubio said federal agents took Vang into custody and, as of Friday, the now 42-year-old sex offender has been removed from the country.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The deportation of Tou Lue Vang raises questions about the balance of power between state and federal authorities in Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz's decision to pardon Vang, along with the rest of the Board of Pardons, was met with swift criticism from federal officials, who argued that it would prevent Vang's deportation. The fact that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was able to revoke Vang's legal status and deport him despite the pardon suggests that federal authorities are willing to assert their authority in cases where they disagree with state-level decisions. This sets up a potential conflict between state and federal governments, with implications for how Minnesota handles similar cases in the future. The state's Board of Pardons will likely face increased scrutiny, and lawmakers may need to reexamine the pardon process to ensure it aligns with federal priorities.
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: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Federal officials announced Friday that they have deported a child sex offender who was pardoned in Minnesota last month.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Tou Lue Vang, originally of Laos, was revoked of his legal status. Rubio said federal agents took Vang into custody a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 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 local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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