Navajo Leaders Alarmed as Immigration Sweeps Target Their Community

As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensifies its operations to apprehend undocumented immigrants, Indigenous communities in urban areas express growing concern over allegations of detentions. Reports indicate that members of tribal nations, including the Navajo Nation, have been caught in ICE sweeps, raising fears regarding community safety and wellbeing.

Since the issuance of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at increasing ICE raids, Navajo leaders have reported receiving distressing accounts from tribal members. “We now know that Navajo people and enrolled members of other tribes are being detained in Phoenix and other cities by ICE,” stated Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley during a recent committee meeting.

During the meeting, Curley addressed an alarming trend, revealing that numerous Navajo individuals living in urban environments have reached out, sharing experiences of being stopped and questioned by ICE agents. The issue has incited outrage among council members and led to a focused discussion about their response. A press release from the Navajo Nation Council underscored the fear these raids have generated, particularly for tribal members facing documentation challenges.

State Senator Theresa Hatathlie, participating virtually, conveyed her worries about an incident where a Navajo citizen was detained for nine hours. She emphasized the need for emergency protocols, especially given the difficulties many tribal members face in proving their identities amid ongoing ICE actions. “Despite possessing Certificates of Indian Blood and state-issued IDs, several individuals have been detained,” the council noted.

Curley called for urgent action from Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, highlighting the immediate needs of affected individuals. “Our people depend on the tribe for solutions,” she remarked, emphasizing a lack of adequate responses so far. Nygren acknowledged his office’s receipt of concerns but noted difficulties in verifying cases of detentions. “I am glad that not one of our citizens has been detained for any of this,” he stated, while also indicating that efforts are underway to collect more information on the situation.

To assist individuals who might encounter immigration enforcement, Nygren’s office has released guidelines on social media. These tips advise keeping calm, documenting encounters, and knowing legal rights. His office has also reached out to other tribes along the border for guidance based on their experiences with similar issues.

Navajo lawmakers have begun discussing emergency legislation aimed at improving identification processes for tribal members and securing access to resources for those impacted by the raids. “It is unacceptable for our people to be detained because their tribal documents are not recognized,” Curley stressed, calling for systemic changes that protect their rights.

Community advocate Reva Stewart has noted a sharp uptick in concerns among Indigenous families regarding ICE activities. Aiming to equip individuals with knowledge and legal resources, her non-profit organization is implementing outreach initiatives addressing rights during interactions with immigration agents. “We have to ensure tribal members remember to keep their tribal enrollment information with them,” she stated.

The broader implications of these immigration enforcement actions have not gone unnoticed. April Ignacio, co-founder of Indivisible Tohono, pointed out that for some tribal nations, such issues are not new. “Being Native in this country is political,” she reflected, suggesting that heightened attention to these struggles across various tribes could potentially unify efforts for change.

As tensions rise, tribal leaders and community advocates are calling for collaboration with state and federal entities to implement effective measures. Plans to establish a toll-free hotline, community education initiatives, and legal support systems are in the works, demonstrating a collective resolve to address these pressing concerns. The Navajo Nation Council has urged anyone affected by ICE actions to contact their Human Rights Commission for assistance at (928) 871-7436.