Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has pardoned Jai Vang, a Laotian national who was convicted in 1994 for aiding and abetting armed robbery at age 18.
Vang was taken into federal immigration custody on May 14 and was set to be deported to Laos in June before the Minnesota Board of Pardons’ next regular meeting. Governor Walz convened a special session of the board, which includes himself, Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. The pardon was granted unanimously following a recommendation from the Clemency Review Commission.
The conviction occurred during an October 1994 incident in Hennepin County when Vang, then 18 years old, was arrested and convicted of aiding and abetting armed robbery. He has not committed additional crimes since serving his sentence and has built a family and a business in Minnesota, including painting and carpentry.
During the pardon hearing, Governor Walz referred to Vang as a citizen despite federal authorities designating him as a Laotian national in immigration custody. The state action sets aside Vang’s conviction and lifts many of its lingering consequences, preventing his deportation to Laos under Operation Metro Surge, a federal enforcement operation targeting criminal illegal aliens in the Minneapolis area.