1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

On January 10, 2026, ICE officers detained three Oglala Sioux Tribe members who were homeless and living under a bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These individuals were transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling despite being citizens of the United States by statute and citizens of the Oglala Sioux Nation by treaty. This detention represents a clear violation of treaty obligations and federal law. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out has demanded their immediate release, emphasizing that tribal citizens are categorically outside immigration jurisdiction. ICE has only provided tribal authorities with the first names of the detainees and refuses to release additional information unless the tribe enters into an immigration agreement with ICE. President Star Comes Out has rightfully refused this demand, as such an agreement would authorize ICE to come onto tribal homeland to arrest or detain tribal members, further eroding tribal sovereignty. This is not an isolated incident. In November, actress Elaine Miles, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, was detained by ICE officers who called her tribal ID fake, with one agent reportedly saying "Anyone can make that." This pattern demonstrates a systemic failure to recognize the legal status of Indigenous Americans and the sovereignty of tribal nations. Treaties are not optional. Sovereignty is not conditional. These three individuals must be released immediately and returned to their tribal nation. I urge you to intervene with the Department of Homeland Security to secure their release and to demand that ICE officers receive immediate training on tribal sovereignty and the legal status of Indigenous Americans. Secretary Kristi Noem has not responded to tribal inquests as of January 14, 2026. I expect a response detailing what actions you will take to remedy this treaty violation and prevent future unlawful detentions of Indigenous Americans.