Minnesota Board of Pardons Grants Pardon to Laos National Convicted of Child Sexual Assault

State officials pardoned a Laos national convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child between 2002 and 2006. The pardon was granted at a June 10 meeting of the Minnesota Board of Pardons after the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission recommended approval in April.

The individual entered the United States in 1994 and received legal status under the Clinton administration. That status was revoked after the 2006 conviction and final order of removal. Federal authorities detained the man last year during enforcement operations in Minnesota.

The board reviewed the commission's recommendation before granting the pardon, which restores a clean record. A letter from the commission's executive director stated the pardon reflected rehabilitation work completed since the conviction. The individual had argued in the application that full responsibility had been taken for prior actions.

" Officials noted the individual lost legal status after the conviction and was facing deportation to Laos. The same statement referenced prior pardons granted by the commission to other undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Federal authorities said the action protects individuals who would otherwise be removed.

During the 2005 arrest, the individual admitted sexual contact with the victim but attributed the conduct to cultural norms in Thailand, according to a complaint reported by the New York Times. The individual was among those targeted in federal enforcement actions in Minnesota last year.

Officials have pointed to state policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities as a factor in such cases.