PEMBINA, N.D. (AP) - U.S. Sennator Heidi Heitkamp has brought the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Number 2 official to North Dakota to discuss border patrol issues.
Heitkamp and Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas met with local officials Wednesday in Pembina. The pair held a round table discussion with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local sheriffs and tribal law enforcement.
Heitkamp says that the state's energy boom and changing dynamics are creating challenges at North Dakota's 17 border crossings, many of which are at small towns and in rural areas.
On Tuesday, the senator and deputy secretary met with officials at the Grand Forks Public Safety Training Center. They also went to Larimore to discuss the recruitment and training of volunteer firefighters.