United Indian Nations of Oklahoma is advising tribal citizens across the state to remain vigilant and to carry tribal identification, along with any state- or federally issued identification they may have, amid expanded immigration enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following recent White House directives.
The advisory comes as tribal citizens nationwide have reported being questioned or detained about their citizenship status despite being enrolled tribal members or U.S. citizens. Recent incidents cited by the organization include four enrolled members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe detained in Minnesota; an Ojibwe and Red Lake Nation descendant detained in Minnesota; a member of Arizona’s Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community detained in Iowa; and Indigenous actress Elaine Miles, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, who was questioned by authorities in Washington state.
As immigration enforcement activity has broadened, the Native American Rights Fund has issued guidance for both minor and adult tribal citizens on how to respond if approached by immigration agents at home, at work, in public spaces or while traveling.
“Thirty-eight federally recognized tribes are headquartered in Oklahoma, and tribal citizens from hundreds of Native nations call this state home,” said Ben Barnes, chairperson of United Indian Nations of Oklahoma. “It is deeply concerning that tribal citizens have been questioned or detained despite their lawful status. Given these developments, there is no reason to assume Native people in Oklahoma could not or are not already facing similar encounters. We strongly urge all Native people to carry any tribal, state, or federal identification available to help protect themselves and their families.”
NARF has also released a fact sheet for Native-serving nonprofits and service providers aimed at safeguarding clients and preventing unlawful detentions and violations of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
United Indian Nations of Oklahoma plans to address the issue during its upcoming quarterly meeting March 10 at River Spirit Casino Resort.
“United Indian Nations of Oklahoma will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will share additional guidance and information as it becomes available,” Barnes said.