Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out has clarified earlier statements regarding the alleged detention of tribal members by immigration authorities and discussions concerning a federal immigration agreement. Initially, President Star Comes Out stated that four tribal members were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis and that federal officials demanded an agreement. He later issued a memo stating his previous statement was "misinterpreted" and that an agreement was presented as "one option" for information access. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied verifying any arrests or requesting an agreement. The Oglala Sioux Tribe reports that three members remain in custody at an ICE facility at Fort Snelling, with one having been released.
Claims and Clarifications Regarding Detentions
Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out initially claimed that four tribal members were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis. He subsequently issued a memo clarifying that the tribe was working with Tribal, State, and Federal officials to verify these reports of tribal members' arrests. President Star Comes Out also reported that three of the four individuals initially mentioned were transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling, with one member having since been released. The President stated that the detained individuals had been experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated it could not verify claims of their officers arresting or encountering Oglala Sioux Tribe members. DHS also reported that they did not find anyone in their detention centers claiming to be a tribal member.
Disputed Immigration Agreement Discussions
President Star Comes Out initially stated that federal officials demanded an "immigration agreement" with ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in exchange for information access. In his subsequent memo, he clarified that his earlier statement was "misinterpreted." He stated that there was no demand from federal officials, but rather that federal officials indicated an immigration agreement was "one option" for the Tribe to have easier access to information. He also noted the tribe was in "cooperative communications" with federal officials.
The Department of Homeland Security denied asking the Oglala Sioux Tribe for any type of agreement. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated that ICE had "simply asked for basic information on the individuals, such as names and date of birth so that we can run a proper check to provide them with the facts."
However, the Oglala Sioux Tribe reported that DHS provided only the first names of the men and refused to release further information unless the tribe entered into an immigration agreement with ICE. The Oglala Sioux Tribe has stated it has no plans to enter such an agreement.
Oglala Sioux Tribe's Position and Demands
President Star Comes Out asserted that "tribal citizens are not aliens" and are "categorically outside immigration jurisdiction." He emphasized that enrolled tribal members are U.S. citizens by statute and Oglala Sioux Nation citizens by treaty. The tribe is demanding information on the status of the three remaining men, their release from ICE custody, and a meeting with the government.
Broader Context of Tribal-Federal Relations
These events occur amid ongoing concerns among Native Americans regarding federal immigration enforcement. The Fort Snelling facility, where the tribal members are reported to be held, has historical significance for Indigenous people, having served as a military outpost where Dakota people were held during the Dakota War of 1862.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe has a history of tension with DHS, particularly concerning South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who was banned from the Pine Ridge Reservation. This ban followed Noem's claims about cartels infiltrating reservations and her reference to the Ghost Dancers, which President Star Comes Out described as "blatant disrespect" to a sacred ceremony.
Some Native American tribes have been reevaluating their contracts and relationships with Homeland Security. Examples include:
- A business entity of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation ended a nearly $30 million federal contract for immigrant detention center designs following criticism from tribal members.
- Indigenous shareholders in Alaska have advocated for the Bering Straits Native Corporation to divest from all immigration detention centers nationwide.
Similar Incidents and Tribal Responses
Several other incidents involving federal immigration enforcement and tribal citizens have been reported:
- Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren reported in the past year that tribal citizens were stopped and detained by ICE in Arizona and New Mexico.
- Elaine Miles, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, was stopped by ICE in Washington state over her tribal ID.
- A member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community was mistakenly slated for ICE turnover in Iowa before being released in November.
In response to these types of events, Indigenous rights groups and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians have established centers in Minneapolis to assist tribal citizens in obtaining tribal identification cards. They also advise tribal citizens to carry proper identification when approached by ICE.