Several ND Sheriffs Meet with Trump Administration on Border Security

Posted 9/30/19 (Mon)

Bismarck, ND – Nine North Dakota Sheriffs and two Sheriff’s deputies traveled to Washington D.C. last week to join 190 other Sheriffs from across the country for a two-day border security and safe communities conference. Their meetings were capped off with a brief visit with President Donald Trump on the steps of the White House.

During the White House briefings, Sheriffs heard from key leaders from Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Border Patrol and Immigration Customs and Enforcement. Administration leaders provided the Sheriffs with an update on border security, information on policy changes to secure unauthorized crossing areas along the southern border and actions to address loopholes in the immigration system. Kellyanne Conway and others from DEA provided information on drug control enforcement with a focus on opioids and fentanyl.

“Hearing from these top officials on the drug issues across the country and what is being done at the national level, was very informative,” said Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben. “From the top down, it is evident that these issues which are a concern to us are also a concern to the President and his Administration. They are committed to reducing drug addiction and drug trafficking.”

The North Dakota Sheriffs also met with Senator Hoeven, Senator Cramer and Representative Armstrong to not only discuss secure borders and safe communities but other law enforcement issues such as drugs and gun control measures.

“We heard about many federal efforts to re-direct personnel to the southern border. We stressed the need to ensure this does not impact the protection and resources currently utilized on our northern border,” said Grand Forks County Sheriff Andy Schneider.

“We are one of the states farthest away from the southern border, but nearly every county has been impacted by this issue,” said Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser. “We are seeing an increase in drugs into our area coming from Mexico along with other incidents where illegal immigrants are arrested for criminal activities. This is a national security issue.”

Attending from North Dakota were:

Sheriff Steve Rohr, Benson County Sheriff Sarah Warner, Hettinger County

Sheriff Pat Rummel, Billings County Sheriff Laurie Spitzer, McIntosh County

Sheriff Kelly Leben, Burleigh County Sheriff Steve Nelson, Ramsey County

Sheriff Gary Kuhn, Dunn County Deputy Chris Redmann, Sioux County

Sheriff Andy Schneider &Deputy Joel Lloyd, Grand Forks County Sheriff Chad Kaiser, Stutsman County