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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday granted a pardon to Jai Vang, a Laotian national who was previously convicted in an armed robbery case and had recently been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

He was 18 years old at the time of the offense.

After serving his prison sentence, Vang remained in the United States for decades.

Earlier this year, however, he was arrested by ICE during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation conducted in the Minneapolis area, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Tim Walz (D) moved quickly to intervene

Tim Walz (D) moved quickly to intervene.

When Vang sought clemency ahead of a scheduled June deportation, Walz convened a special session of Minnesota’s Clemency Review Commission to ensure the case was considered before federal authorities could complete the removal process.

The commission — which included Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson — unanimously voted to grant Vang a pardon.