NOTE: Homeland Security X-post at the end of the article.
In a targeted enforcement operation conducted in Minneapolis, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained dozens of illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes involving minors, according to an official statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released Wednesday.
The operation, carried out between June 6 and June 11, 2025, focused on identifying and apprehending non-citizens residing unlawfully in the United States who have prior convictions for serious sexual offenses against children. The DHS confirmed that several of those arrested were nationals of Laos and Thailand.
Among those taken into custody were individuals previously convicted of various degrees of sexual assault and criminal sexual conduct involving minors. Notably, on June 6, ICE arrested multiple Laotian nationals, including Pao Angelo Vang, who had a prior conviction for second-degree sexual assault of a child. Thong Lao, also from Laos, was detained the same day with an identical conviction.
Additional arrests included Va Vang, convicted of first-degree sexual assault, and Xiong Pao Vang, who had been found guilty of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old. Both were taken into custody during the initial days of the operation.
Other Laotian nationals apprehended during the sweep include Yia Xiong, convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, and Pok Vue, who had a conviction for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Several others with convictions ranging from first to third-degree criminal sexual offenses were also detained.
The operation also targeted Thai nationals with prior convictions for offenses involving minors. Tou Pao Lee was arrested on charges related to soliciting a minor, while Yee Shae was detained due to a past conviction for sexual abuse of a minor.
This enforcement initiative is part of a broader ICE campaign aimed at removing violent offenders and sexual predators who reside illegally within the United States, ensuring public safety and protecting vulnerable populations.
The DHS release included pointed criticism of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s policies on immigration enforcement. “Under Tim Walz’s leadership, these depraved individuals have been walking freely around Minneapolis with impunity, terrorizing American children,” the statement read.
This comment underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration authorities and some state governments perceived as adopting more lenient approaches toward undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records.
The arrests highlight the federal government’s continuing efforts to enforce immigration laws strictly and prioritize the removal of individuals who pose a threat to public safety, especially children. ICE officials emphasize that the operation’s goal was to protect communities by targeting those with known histories of serious offenses.
This recent round of detentions follows several similar ICE actions across the country in recent years targeting convicted sex offenders living unlawfully in the U.S. Many local and state leaders have pushed back against such federal efforts, citing concerns about community trust and immigrant rights.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, federal agencies reaffirm their commitment to identifying and removing individuals who have violated laws and committed serious crimes, while balancing the challenges posed by varying state-level policies.
