Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have raised the alarms for Tribes whose citizens are being unjustly detained and questioned. The Trump Administration claims raids target illegal immigrants with criminal histories, however, at least some agents are making judgments based on appearance, including the skin color and language of an individual rather than concrete information about immigration status or criminal record.
There have been reports of Native individuals being detained by ICE based upon their appearance and ICE officers limited or non-existent understanding of the status of Natives as U.S. citizens. Both Navajo and Mescalero tribal members have been reportedly stopped.
To have Native people be harassed by immigration officials, have their citizenship status questioned, or be mocked by online trolls saying to “send them home” speaks to the lack of education about Indigenous peoples by a large portion of the population. Proposed plans to eliminate or overhaul the education system in ways that would ignore accurate history around Native Americans won’t help this situation.
What can Natives do to protect themselves?
-
- Carry your Tribal ID. Tribes are urging the Trump Administration to direct ICE to accept tribal IDs as proof of U.S. citizenship. For some, especially elders who may have been born in remote homes and who struggle to obtain a birth certificate, this is the best option.
- Carrying a state ID along with a Certificate of Indian Blood in addition to a Tribal ID is advised for those who have them.
- Know you have the right to remain silent and refuse any search.
- You do not have to open the door of your home to ICE agents unless they have a valid warrant signed by a judge.
- Be sure to consistently check for updates from your Tribal government and organizations like the Native American Rights Fund to get updated information and tips to stay safe.
- Share this post! Help spread this message so it reaches as many people as possible.
Correction: Like most readers, we monitor the news and how it impacts our communities in real time. We strive for accuracy but corrected our blog once further information was released about the reported incident. The purpose of the blog, however, is unchanged: ensuring the safety and comfort of Native students based on breaking news and the advice of Tribal nations. We continue to urge our students to contact their Tribal government offices to obtain a tribal identification card if they qualify, and to carry both their state and tribal identification cards with them. We also continue to emphasize that important point that Native people are citizens of both the United States and their Native Nations.
