Minnesota Man Granted Pardon One Day Before Scheduled Deportation
Jan 8, 2026·Location: Minnesota
Country of origin: Laos
Ricky Chandee, 52, a Laotian refugee and Minneapolis city engineer, was detained by federal immigration agents on January 24 and faced deportation based on a conviction from over 30 years ago. The Minnesota Board of Pardons unanimously granted him a pardon on May 4, 2026, one day before his scheduled deportation, potentially removing the legal basis for his removal.
Sources
- CBS News
- A Minnesota man has spent 90 days in ICE detention, uncertain if or when he'll be deported
mprnews.org·Apr 29, 2026·archived copy
- Brooklyn Park man pardoned of assault conviction that landed him in immigration detention
sahanjournal.com·May 4, 2026·archived copy
- Minnesota grants pardon to man facing imminent deportation after ICE arrest
mprnews.org·May 4, 2026·archived copy
- Board of Pardons Grants Clemency to Minnesota Father and Public Servant One Day Prior to Potential Rushed Deportation | North Shore Journal | Two Harbors, Silver Bay & Lake Superior
northshorejournal.co·May 6, 2026·archived copy
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