DHS Criticizes Minnesota Board’s Unanimous Decision to Pardon Undocumented Immigrant Convicted of Triple Assault

FOX FIRST: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strongly criticized Minnesota authorities after the state’s Board of Pardons unanimously decided to pardon a Laotian national with several assault convictions. DHS cautioned that this decision might hinder the enforcement of his existing deportation order.

Xayasounethone Chandee, an undocumented immigrant from Laos, was found guilty of assault in 1992. Following this conviction, an immigration judge issued a final deportation order for Chandee in 1995.

Despite this order, Chandee remained in the U.S. and faced further legal trouble in 2008 when he was convicted of two felony charges of aggravated assault with a weapon.

The DHS expressed concern that the Minnesota Board of Pardons’ recent decision to pardon Chandee could potentially obstruct his deportation from the country.

Xayasounethone Chandee, an undocumented immigrant from Laos, was convicted in 1992. (DHS)

“The Minnesota Board of Pardons’ unanimous decision pardoning an illegal alien convicted of three violent assaults is absolute INSANITY,” DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital. 

“Chandee lost his green card following his convictions for aggravated assault with a weapon. Following his criminal convictions, he was placed in removal proceedings and issued a final order of removal by a judge.”

The Minnesota Board of Pardons’ decision was unanimous, according to DHS. (Steve Karnowski/Associated Press)

“Minnesota’s sanctuary politicians’ pardon took away this violent thug’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S.,” she continued.

Chandee entered the country as a legal permanent resident when he was a minor. However, visas and green cards can be revoked when a holder breaks the law.

DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital, “Minnesota’s sanctuary politicians’ pardon took away this violent thug’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S.” (@ushomelandsecurity via YouTube)

“It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live in the United States of America,” DHS wrote in a statement. “When you break our laws, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country.”