The status of four members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe remains unclear five days after their reported detention by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis. The individuals were taken into custody on January 8, 2024, while living under a bridge near the Little Earth of United Tribes housing complex, according to statements from tribal and state officials.
Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out confirmed that the four men were residing in a community area when they were apprehended. A fellow tribe member who witnessed the incident provided information about the men’s tribal affiliation but did not obtain their names.
Concerns Amid Increased ICE Activity
This incident occurred shortly after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer, which has heightened tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities. Local leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, are actively seeking to address these concerns through a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security.
As of January 9, 2024, the office of Lt. Gov. Flanagan reported no updates on the detained Oglala Sioux men. Requests for further information from the Department of Homeland Security and other state officials have also gone unanswered. Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Nation, expressed her dismay, stating, “The obvious racial profiling happening to our community is disgraceful. My heart breaks to hear about what’s happening and it pisses me off.”
In a related incident, Jose Roberto “Beto” Ramirez, a descendant of the Red Lake Nation, was detained on the same day but was released shortly thereafter. Details regarding his case remain limited, with the Red Lake Nation providing no further comment as of January 8, 2024.
Indigenous Rights Under Threat
The actions of federal agents have drawn significant criticism from the Minnesota Native American Caucus, which includes State Senator Mary Kunesh and Representatives Heather Keeler and Liish Kozlowski. In a statement released on January 7, 2024, they condemned the federal agents’ actions, asserting, “Snatching a Native person off the street is not a reckless mistake — it’s a direct assault on Indigenous sovereignty and due process.”
They emphasized that Native Americans, as citizens of the United States since the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, cannot be legally deported for immigration violations. According to the Native American Rights Fund, ICE does not have the authority to detain or remove individuals who are recognized as Native American citizens.
The Minnesota Native American Caucus highlighted the troubling pattern of ICE operations, stating they have observed an increase in the targeting of Indigenous individuals, often disregarding their tribal identification. They called for Indigenous tribes to implement rapid response protocols to better protect their communities from similar incidents in the future.
The situation remains fluid as community leaders and officials seek clarity and justice for the detained Oglala Sioux men. The ongoing response from local and tribal authorities will be crucial in addressing the ramifications of this incident and preventing future occurrences.
