Pembina County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Kenyan man accused of illegally crossing the U.S.-Canada border in North Dakota plans to plead guilty to federal immigration charges.
Defense Seeks Combined Plea and Sentencing
Court records identify the defendant as Ismail Ibrahim Shukri.
Shukri’s federal public defender recently filed a letter with the court.
The letter asks for a combined plea and sentencing hearing.
The filing states there is no plea agreement in the case.
The charge involves improper entry into the United States, according to the documents.
Border Arrest Near Pembina Port of Entry
According to a criminal complaint, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Shukri on November 22.
An agent was using surveillance equipment near the Pembina Port of Entry that night.
He saw a person walking south from the international border around 10:30 p.m.
The person was about two miles west of the port of entry.
Agents moved into the area and found the man later identified as Shukri.
The complaint says he was about 1.5 miles south of the border.
Agents apprehended him on foot.
Shukri admitted crossing from Canada and said he knew he was in the United States, according to the complaint.
Processing at Pembina Border Patrol Station
Agents brought Shukri to the Pembina Border Patrol Station for processing at about 10:50 p.m.
Fingerprint checks showed no prior immigration or criminal record for him, according to the filing.
Agents read Shukri his Miranda rights during the interview process.
He chose not to answer questions without a lawyer present.
He also declined to speak with a consular official after being told of that right.
Improper Entry Charge Under Federal Law
Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges on November 24.
Shukri is charged under 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(1).
The law bars non-citizens from entering the United States at places not designated by immigration officers.
More information on Border Patrol operations is available from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at cbp.gov.
Case Status and Detention
As of the latest filing, no future hearing dates are listed in the case docket.
Shukri remains in custody at the Grand Forks County Corrections Center.
Details on federal criminal procedure can be found through the U.S. Courts website.
The court will set a date for the planned plea and sentencing hearing.
Until the case is resolved, Shukri remains presumed innocent of the charge.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
