Williston lawmaker introduces bill ending Office of Legal Immigration

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - The North Dakota legislature voted to create the state Office of Legal Immigration in 2023 to recruit and support immigrants to work. Some lawmakers are already looking to disband the program.

They’re sponsoring House Bill 1493, which simply removes the Office of Legal Immigration from the state Century Code.

Rep. Nico Rios, R-Williston, argues it hasn’t provided much of a return on investment and says other departments already work to recruit workers. He adds that the state should focus on hiring citizens first.

“I’m just saying I’d rather see our state tax dollars go to helping recruit other Americans here,” said Rios.

Director of Workforce Development for the State Commerce Department Katie Ralston Howe explains the office just started its work about a year ago. She says the office can have benefits to bringing workers to North Dakota.

“The Office of Legal Immigration has become one of North Dakota’s biggest competitive advantages to recruiting workers. As I stated earlier, it’s important to clarify that employers start recruiting internationally when they are unable to fill jobs with local talent,” said Howe.

Several businesses and organizations testified against the bill, claiming the office’s importance to growing the state’s workforce.

So far, the office has brought in 15 employees and continues to provide information to interested employers. Several of those workers have entered the healthcare and energy industries.

The House Industry, Business and Labor Committee did not take action Tuesday.