The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a blistering statement over the weekend criticizing the Minnesota Star Tribune for what it called “despicable” reporting that appeared to excuse or downplay serious crimes committed by illegal immigrants, including child sex offenses, by framing them as “cultural misunderstandings.”
The controversy stems from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the Minneapolis area that resulted in the arrest of several criminal illegal aliens from Laos and Thailand. Many had long-standing final orders of removal and convictions for crimes such as lewd acts with minors under 14 and second-degree sexual assault of a child.
Despite these charges, the Star Tribune article covering the arrests struck a sympathetic tone, noting “accusations of cultural misunderstanding” within the Hmong community, and quoting residents concerned about the potential impact of deportations on those with “complicated” pasts.
One such resident, Cher Her of St. Paul, acknowledged that violent offenders should be deported but pointed to Hmong cultural norms around early marriage. Her, who married at 16 and is now a U.S. citizen, expressed concern about his brother, who had legal troubles as a teen but now lives a stable family life.
DHS officials were quick to respond, particularly regarding the case of Chia Neng Vue, one of the individuals ICE arrested. Vue has a long and serious criminal history. He was convicted in 1998 for criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13 and for crimes committed for the benefit of a gang. A final deportation order for Vue was issued over two decades ago, in October 2003.
Yet, according to DHS, Vue’s criminal activity continued well after that ruling:
- March 2009: Arrested for possession of a pistol/assault weapon.
- June 2010: Arrested for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
- August 2011: Arrested for domestic assault and weapons violations.
- December 2011: Charged with violating a domestic abuse no-contact order.
- April 2012: Arrested as a felon convicted of a crime of violence.
Despite this rap sheet, a GoFundMe page launched on Vue’s behalf described him as a changed man who “has a family and has stayed out of trouble.”
DHS was blunt in its assessment of the coverage. “Rather than defend American victims, the Minnesota Star Tribune sympathized with convicted child sexual predators,” the agency wrote in a statement.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin was even more direct:
“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,” she said.
“This individual repeatedly broke our laws, committed sex and other violent crimes, and yet the media is bending over backwards to paint him as a victim. It’s disgraceful.”
The arrests are part of the Trump administration’s renewed efforts to prioritize the removal of criminal illegal aliens, especially those with convictions involving violence or sexual abuse. ICE operations under the administration have expanded in recent months to crack down on repeat offenders who have slipped through the cracks or who remained in the U.S. despite final removal orders.
The Star Tribune has not yet responded publicly to DHS’s criticism.
The debate touches on a larger issue: whether cultural context should influence how the public and media interpret serious criminal behavior, especially when it comes to crimes involving children. DHS maintains that justice and the protection of victims — not cultural relativism — must be the priority.
As ICE continues to carry out arrests and deportations in Minnesota and across the country, the administration has made clear that it will not tolerate media narratives that it views as excusing or minimizing criminal acts committed by those in the country unlawfully.
READ NEXT: Trump Undergoes Emergency Tests — Here’s What Doctors Found
Evidently, “cultural misunderstanding “ means that Civilized folks misunderstand the “culture” in mini soda.
Vue’s rap sheet shows he should still be in prison. Was he ever sent there, or did the Minneapolis traitor judges just let him out on the street?
This is nothing less than a persons choice to do wrong.
So we should adapt our laws to align with thei cultural misunde? They should look into the background of whomever wrote that article and the Editor who approved it.
Not tipping, not making eye contact, not being on time, and differences in personal hygiene are cultural misunderstandings, having sex with children is criminal.