01.08.23

Hoeven Helps Welcome Home NDNG's 957 Engineer Company, Highlights Their Work on Southern Border

Senator Visited Guard Members Deployed to Texas, Continues Pressing Administration to Address Illegal Immigration Crisis

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today helped welcome home the members of the North Dakota National Guard’s (NDNG) 957 Engineer Company, thanking them for their yearlong service along the nation’s southern border in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Last year, the senator visited the Guard members in Del Rio and Eagle Pass, Texas to highlight their mission and call attention to the ongoing illegal immigration crisis. Hoeven made similar trips to El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley to outline the need to stop illegal migration and prevent human and drug trafficking.

“The work of our National Guard members is essential to the security of our nation, and they deserve our recognition and thanks for repeatedly answering the call to serve,” said Hoeven. “During this latest deployment, the 957 Engineer Company conducted themselves with honor and distinction, representing the best our state has to offer. They not only worked to stem the tide of illegal immigration, drug smuggling and human trafficking into our nation, but their members went above and beyond to save two people from drowning. We are truly proud to call them North Dakotans, and welcome their safe return home. 

“While we welcome them home, their mission highlights the need for the Biden administration to enforce the law and secure our borders.”

Hoeven’s visits to the southern border come as part of his ongoing efforts to address the illegal immigration crisis and press the Biden administration to:

  • Enforce the nation’s laws and secure the southern border, including resuming construction of the border wall and putting in place the necessary infrastructure, personnel and technology.
  • Reinstate key immigration policies such as:
    • The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) or Remain in Mexico Policy, which required people seeking asylum at the southern border to wait in Mexico while their case was adjudicated.
    • The Safe Third Country Agreements so those seeking asylum from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala can be returned to their home country to await the outcome of their claims.
    • The Title 42 Public Health Order, an important tool that allows immigration officials to return illegal immigrants to their home country and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
    • Move toward a merit-based immigration system.