Illegal Alien Child Predators Labeled as ‘Misunderstood’ by MN Paper, DHS Fires Back

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is publicly condemning media coverage that it says downplayed the severity of crimes committed by illegal immigrants arrested in recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis.

The agency called out a narrative from the Minnesota Star Tribune that characterized some of the convictions as a possible “cultural misunderstanding” within the Hmong community.

The Minnesota Star Tribune ran a SHAMEFUL piece in defense of illegal aliens arrested for child sex crimes.

There is no excuse for anyone to commit crimes against innocent children. These pedophiles are the types of sickos our brave ICE law enforcement officers are putting their… pic.twitter.com/R1DNK0H2Rh

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 9, 2025

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The ICE operation targeted multiple Laotian and Thai nationals living illegally in the United States, many with serious criminal records.

According to DHS, several individuals arrested had convictions including lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, and second-degree sexual assault of a child.

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One of the individuals highlighted by DHS is Chia Neng Vue, a Laotian national who was convicted in 1998 of criminal sexual conduct involving a child under the age of 13.

A dangerous alien is off the streets. 43 y/o Chia Neng Vue from Laos – a convicted sex offender for 1st degree criminal sexual conduct – was arrested by HSI St Paul, ATF, DEA, FBI, IRS-CI & US Marshals. pic.twitter.com/InGfzeWmbL

— HSI Saint Paul (@HSISaintPaul) June 8, 2025

He was also convicted of committing a crime to benefit a gang.

A final order of removal was issued for Vue on October 31, 2003.

Despite the order, DHS records show that Vue continued to be arrested in Minnesota for various offenses:

• On March 24, 2009, Vue was arrested for possessing a pistol or assault weapon by the Pine County Sheriff’s Office.
• On June 11, 2010, he was arrested for criminal sexual conduct in the first degree by the same agency.
• On August 3, 2011, Vue was arrested by the St. Paul Police Department for possession of dangerous weapons and domestic assault.
• On December 30, 2011, he was charged with violating a domestic abuse no-contact order in Bloomington, Minnesota.
• On April 26, 2012, he was arrested again by St. Paul police for being a felon convicted of a crime of violence.

A GoFundMe page was launched in Vue’s name, claiming he had since changed his ways.

“He has a family and has stayed out of trouble,” the page read.

DHS, however, disputed that claim, citing his continued legal issues long after his removal order.

The Minnesota Star Tribune reported on community concerns over the arrests, stating, “The deportations bring anxiety to the Hmong community, and accusations of cultural misunderstanding.”

The article quoted Cher Her, a U.S. citizen and longtime resident of St. Paul, who said violent criminals should be deported but expressed concern over cultural practices.

Her explained that in traditional Hmong culture, individuals often marry at younger ages.

He noted he was married at 16, is now 41, and has eight children.

He also said he worries about the impact of shifting deportation policies on his brother, who had legal issues as a teenager but now has a family and steady employment.

DHS issued a pointed response to the article, stating, “Rather than defend American victims, the Minnesota Star Tribune sympathized with convicted child sexual predators.”

DHS emphasized that these individuals were not simply misunderstood but had extensive criminal records involving serious offenses against minors and others.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin strongly criticized the paper’s framing.

“We have seen a lot of gross reporting, but this may take gold for despicable. There is no excuse for anyone to commit crimes against innocent children. These pedophiles are the types of sickos our brave ICE law enforcement officers are putting their lives on the line to arrest and remove from American communities,” McLaughlin said.

She added that the individuals involved “repeatedly broke our laws, committed sex and other violent crimes,” and the effort to soften their criminal histories through cultural context ignores the suffering of victims.

ICE has continued targeted enforcement actions across the country, with DHS defending the work as critical to public safety.

The agency says it will continue to prioritize the removal of individuals with serious criminal convictions, regardless of community or cultural background.