Multiple tribal leaders are condemning recent actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – or ICE. Namely, recent allegations of harassment and detainment of tribal members in Minneapolis.
A statement from the office of President Frank Star Comes out of the Oglala Sioux Tribe says he is aware of reports of the detainment of four Oglala tribal members by ICE in Minneapolis.
This comes in the wake of the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by ICE officers in Minneapolis.
In the report, an Oglala bystander was able to get their tribal identities, but unable to get their names.
In his statement, President Star Comes Out writes “All Native people born within the territorial limits of the United States are recognized as US citizens by birth. Because I am both a tribal citizen and a US citizen, ICE has no lawful authority to detain me.”
Further, Star Comes Out writes that treaties confirm the inherent sovereignty of Native tribes and a nation-to-nation relationship with the US government. He advises tribal members, if detained, not speak to ICE agents without an attorney present.
In another statement, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Steve Sitting Bear writes “Our nation is a sovereign government, and our members are not immigrants. We are not subject to immigration enforcement on our own lands.”
He goes on to say that ICE activity is not welcome or authorized on the lands of the Standing Rock Reservation, and that unauthorized personnel will be escorted from the reservation.
He advises tribal members always carry their tribal identification cards, which confirms both the citizenship and political status of the carrier.
South Dakota is not immune from the recent wave of immigration crackdowns, as immigration arrests and operations have been reported in communities across the state in recent months.