Rubio Says Convicted Child Sex Offender Deported After Legal Status Revoked, Criticizes Walz Pardon.
Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that a foreign national convicted of sexually abusing a child has been removed from the United States after his legal status was terminated, while sharply criticizing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for previously granting the man a pardon.
In a statement, Rubio identified the individual as Tue Lue Vang, who had been convicted in Minnesota for crimes involving a 10-year-old girl.
According to Rubio, Vang admitted to committing the abuse, attempted to pay the victim to remain silent, and reportedly characterized his actions as a “minor thing.”
Rubio alleged that Governor Tim Walz granted Vang a pardon just days before he was scheduled to be deported, allowing him to remain in the United States.
“Americans should never have to live in fear that foreign sex predators — shielded from deportation by their own elected officials — could endanger them or their children,” Rubio said.
The Secretary of State stated that he subsequently terminated Vang’s legal status in the United States, enabling federal authorities to remove him from the country.
“Vang has now been removed from our country and will never pose a threat to any American ever again,” Rubio said.
Rubio also thanked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for their cooperation in carrying out the removal.
“The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their continued collaboration and partnership in keeping Americans safe,” the statement said.
The statement comes amid ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, criminal deportations, and the legal consequences of state pardons. Rubio’s remarks also represent a direct political criticism of Governor Walz, who has faced scrutiny from Republican officials over immigration and public safety policies.
