Walz pardons Laos native before ICE deportation

May 29, 2026

1–2 minutes

Summary

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz pardoned Jai Vang after a special clemency review held before deportation proceedings were completed.

Why this matters

The case highlights how state clemency decisions can intersect with federal immigration enforcement. It also underscores ongoing tensions between Minnesota officials and federal authorities over deportation policy.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday pardoned Jai Vang, a Laos native previously convicted of armed robbery, before federal deportation proceedings could be completed.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Vang in the Minneapolis area in January as part of Operation Metro Surge, according to a Department of Homeland Security release.

After learning of Vang’s arrest and his request for clemency to avoid deportation in June, Walz called a special session of the state Board of Pardons’ Clemency Review Commission so the case could be reviewed before deportation was completed.

The commission, joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, voted unanimously to pardon Vang.

The commission said Vang had not committed additional crimes after his release from prison, had started a family, and owned a local painting business.

During the hearing, Walz referred to Vang as a “citizen.” He said Vang had 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.

Walz also criticized federal immigration enforcement during Operation Metro Surge, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as President Donald Trump’s “modern-day Gestapo.” Then-acting ICE Director Todd Lyons responded that “if the governor doesn’t like the laws, he’s free to advocate that Congress change them, but he should refrain from putting ICE officers in danger by likening them to one of the most appalling groups in history.”

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