A Laotian national who pleaded guilty to repeatedly raping a 10‑year‑old girl in Minnesota in 2004 was slated for deportation after receiving a criminal conviction.
The conviction resulted in a deportation order, yet the individual served no prison time following his guilty plea.
The state’s governor, together with the Democrat‑controlled Board of Pardons, granted a pardon that effectively halted the deportation process.
Subsequently, federal authorities revoked the pardon, placed the individual into custody, and removed him from the United States.
A newspaper columnist published an article praising the governor’s decision to defend the pardon, noting the narrow vote required for approval.
The column sparked sharp criticism from state legislators and political commentators, who described the piece as inappropriate and condemned the governor’s actions.
The controversy has reignited discussion over the scope of executive pardons and the handling of serious criminal offenses involving non‑citizens.
