Central ND News

U.S. Representative Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) announced that the Laken Riley Act, signed into law by President Trump on January 29, aims to "restore safety and justice" by enhancing immigration enforcement and safeguarding communities. Fedorchak shared her statement in a press release issued on the same day.

"It was an honor to be part of this somber event as President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law," said Fedorchak, Representative for North Dakota. "The Trump administration and Congress are serious about keeping our communities safe and fulfilling the promises we made to the American people."

According to the press release, the Laken Riley Act (H.R.29) is the first bill signed into law by President Trump. It garnered bipartisan support to bolster border security by mandating the detention of certain criminal offenders. "The Trump administration and Congress are serious about keeping our communities safe and fulfilling the promises we made to the American people," said Fedorchak. The legislation ensures that individuals who commit crimes such as theft, assaulting law enforcement, or violent offenses cannot reoffend and endanger public safety.

The act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals arrested for crimes like burglary or theft and allows states to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement failures. States may seek injunctive relief if federal actions cause harm, including financial losses exceeding $100, releasing detainees, failing to inspect admissions, issuing visas to uncooperative countries, violating parole limits, or not detaining individuals ordered for removal.

From fiscal year 2017 (FY17) to FY25 (through December), U.S. Border Patrol criminal non-citizen arrests fluctuated, peaking at 17,048 in FY24 from a low of 2,438 in FY20. Nationwide convictions for burglary, robbery, larceny, theft, and fraud followed a similar trend, rising from 143 in FY20 to 896 in FY22 before decreasing to 697 in FY24. There has been an increase in arrests and convictions of criminal non-citizens in recent years according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

According to her website, Fedorchak is a fourth-generation North Dakotan with 30 years of experience in business and public service. She served 12 years on the North Dakota Public Service Commission and was president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Born in Williston, she now resides in Mandan.