“Misinformation and a mischaracterization”: North Dakota law enforcement upset with sanctuary jurisdiction accusation

The Seal of the US Department of Homeland Security
The Seal of the US Department of Homeland Security(MGN (Custom credit) | Benjamin Applebaum / DHS MGN Image (Credit))
Published: May 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM CDT
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FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - The North Dakota Sherrif’s and Deputies Association are speaking up against accusations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that several mostly rural North Dakota counties are actually sanctuary jurisdictions for illegal immigrants.

DHS posted their list of sanctuary cities and counties this week. In North Dakota the list consists of Billings County, Golden Valley County, Grant County, Morton County, Ramsey County, Sioux County, and Slope County.

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“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said, in reference to the places on the list of sactuary cities/counties. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicans are on notice: comply with federal law.”

In a news release in response to the report, North Dakota sheriffs say, “These North Dakota counties strongly believe that this is misinformation and a mischaracterization of how they uphold the rule of law in North Dakota.” They also explain that they’ve worked well with federal partners and I.C.E. in the past.

Their news release adds, “The methodology and criteria used to compile this list is unknown. Further these counties have not received communication from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on how to rectify this finding.  The elected Sheriffs of these counties takes strong objection with language in this release characterizing them as ‘deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities.’ This statement couldn’t be further from the truth.  North Dakota Sheriff’s strive every day to protect the public as well as holding criminal actors accountable regardless of immigration status.  The North Dakota Sheriff’s and Deputies Association is working to gather more information regarding the lack of transparency and reasoning as to why the Department of Homeland Security did not fact check prior to incorrectly naming these North Dakota counties.”

Of the seven North Dakota counties on the list, only Sioux County voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election. The other six voted for President Trump by an average margin of nearly 70 points.

The DHS list also lists Minnesota as a self-identified state sanctuary jurisdiction and additionally lists 20 counties as sanctuary counties, including Otter Tail County. Minneapolis and St. Paul are also listed as sanctuary cities on the DHS list.