ICE agents have arrested multiple illegal alien pedophiles and sexual offenders in Minneapolis during a targeted operation that removed dangerous predators from American communities. The bust, announced Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security, took place between June 6 and June 11, 2025, and included several Laotian and Thai nationals with prior convictions for horrific crimes against children.
Among those arrested was Pao Angelo Vang, convicted of 2nd degree sexual assault of a child, along with Thong Lao, convicted of the same crime. Va Vang, convicted of 1st degree sexual assault, and Xiong Pao Vang, convicted of lewd acts with a child under 14, were also taken into custody. Other arrests included Yia Xiong, convicted of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct, and Pok Vue, convicted of 4th degree criminal sexual conduct. ICE also arrested Tou Pao Lee, a Thai illegal alien convicted of soliciting a minor, and Yee Shae, another Thai national convicted of sexual abuse of a minor.
“These pedophiles and sex offenders are the sickos our brave ICE law enforcement are putting their lives on the line to arrest and remove from American communities,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She directly criticized Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz for sanctuary policies that allowed these criminals to remain free to prey on children. “Instead of comparing ICE to the Nazi-Gestapo, Governor Walz should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these pedophiles from Minnesota,” McLaughlin said.
The arrests expose the consequences of sanctuary city policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement, leaving violent criminals on the streets. DHS noted that while ICE is relentlessly working to remove illegal alien criminals, local policies have emboldened predators by shielding them from accountability.
Trump’s border czar Tom Homan stated this week that the administration plans to “triple down” and “flood the zone” on sanctuary cities, increasing enforcement to protect American families. This follows President Trump’s vow to execute the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, prioritizing violent criminals and gang members hiding in cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE.
The operation in Minneapolis is part of a broader crackdown by ICE, which has been removing criminals convicted of homicide, sexual assault, drug trafficking, and aggravated assault across the country. Under Trump’s leadership, the administration has positioned the safety of American children and families above sanctuary policies that have left communities vulnerable.
As ICE continues its mission, the administration has pledged to support agents on the front lines of deporting child predators, traffickers, and violent criminals, despite resistance from local leaders who prioritize ideological agendas over the safety of their constituents.
This bust serves as a stark reminder that strong immigration enforcement is directly tied to community safety and that sanctuary policies often leave the most vulnerable, especially children, at risk from repeat offenders who should never have been in the country in the first place.