A New York lawmaker has introduced legislation that would restore criminal jurisdiction over Seneca Nation lands to the tribe.
Last week, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced the Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act, which would nullify 25 U.S.C. § 232, a termination-era law Congress passed in 1948 that gave the state jurisdiction over the tribe’s land, triggered decades of confusion among law enforcement agencies and left the tribal nation vulnerable to criminal activity.
Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca said in a news release that the lack of accountability among agencies has created an environment where drug dealers and traffickers have thrived, putting Seneca people at risk.
“The current archaic system of New York State jurisdiction puts our people in danger,” Seneca said. “Restoring the federal government’s treaty responsibility to work with the Seneca Nation to provide law enforcement represents a major step forward in protecting our people and our territories. We appreciate Senator Gillibrand’s willingness to listen to our concerns and work with us to introduce this important legislation in the Senate. We will not relent in our efforts to make enhanced public safety a reality on Seneca Nation lands.”
The act would remove the state’s criminal and civil jurisdiction only if the Seneca Nation and the U.S. attorney general agree in writing to such a change. The legislation would not require immediate action but would create a legal mechanism to resolve jurisdictional confusion when all parties agree it is appropriate.
