He said Vang has 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,” Walz said. “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. Ellison, who participated by phone, said he had reviewed Vang’s case file and agreed with the commission members who supported granting clemency.

The pardon decision comes against the backdrop of Walz’s long-running clashes with federal immigration authorities. During Operation Metro Surge, the governor sharply criticized the enforcement effort and drew national attention for comparing ICE agents to President Donald Trump’s “modern-day Gestapo.” The remark sparked immediate backlash from federal officials, including then-Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, who condemned the comparison as inflammatory and offensive. Lyons implored Walz to tone down the rhetoric.

“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,” he said, per Fox. Walz also mouthed off after FBI agents conducted raids on fraudulent, mostly Somali-owned businesses, in Minneapolis last month. After previously criticizing fraud investigations as “white supremacy,” Walz reversed course and tried to take credit for ‘rooting out’ corruption, which drew a rebuke from FBI Director Kash Patel. In a thread on X, Walz, who ended a third bid for the governorship after the fraud scandal broke last fall, said he was putting criminals “on notice.” He added that the FBI was working alongside state officials.