Oglala Sioux Tribe Seeks Release of Tribal Members Detained by ICE

15th Jan 2026
Oglala Sioux Tribe Seeks Release of Tribal Members Detained by ICE Tribal leaders say U.S. citizens were detained in an immigration operation, affecting Indigenous residents and raising identification and jurisdiction concerns.  The Oglala Sioux Tribe said Tuesday that three enrolled members remain in federal immigration custody in Minnesota after being detained during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation at a homeless encampment in Minneapolis late last week. Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out said four members were taken into custody on Friday, one person was later released, and three were transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling. The tribe said the men had been living under a bridge in Minneapolis. The dispute matters because tribal leaders say immigration authorities have no power to detain enrolled members as “aliens” when they are U.S. citizens. Native Americans were broadly recognized as U.S. citizens under the Indian Citizenship Act, signed into law on June 2, 1924. How Immigration Detention Authority Works in Practice In practice, immigration enforcement actions typically begin when federal officers identify a person they believe may lack lawful immigration status. Those determinations are usually based on databases, prior records, or information obtained during an encounter, rather than a court finding at the scene. Legally, immigration detention authority is controlled by the Department of Homeland Security and applies to noncitizens under federal immigration law. ICE officers do not adjudicate citizenship; they act on preliminary status assessments that are later reviewed through administrative or judicial processes. Courts generally recognize that U.S. citizens cannot be held for immigration violations. However, discretion applies at the initial enforcement stage, particularly when officers encounter individuals without immediately verifiable identification or documentation. Where limits exist is after citizenship is established. Once federal authorities confirm a person is a U.S. citizen, continued immigration detention is not authorized, and release is required under federal law. What the Tribe Says Happened in Minneapolis Tribal leadership said ICE agents detained four Oglala Sioux Tribe members during an operation at a homeless encampment in Minneapolis on Friday, and that three of the men were later moved into custody at Fort Snelling. The tribe did not describe the specific enforcement objective of the operation and said details about the circumstances leading to the detentions were unclear. In a memorandum sent to federal officials, Star Comes Out said the tribe sought information about the detained men but received only first names. The memorandum said more information was not provided unless the tribe entered an agreement tied to immigration enforcement, which the tribe said it would not do. Fort Snelling is also the site of the ICE St. Paul Field Office, which lists its location at 1 Federal Drive in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Statements From Tribal Leadership, Community Groups, and Public Impact Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out said enrolled members are U.S. citizens who fall outside immigration jurisdiction and called for the immediate release of any tribal citizens held by ICE. The tribe also requested a meeting with federal officials and clearer information on the status of the three men still in custody. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond. In Minneapolis, Indigenous advocates have stressed the importance of carrying valid tribal identification, with local organizations helping residents obtain or replace ID cards. For Indigenous residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness, the case highlights how enforcement encounters can escalate when identification is questioned. Tribal leaders say immigration detention applies to noncitizens, not enrolled tribal members. Fort Snelling’s history further heightens concern, as more than 1,600 Dakota people were held there in 1862, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. Records, Historical Context, and Practical Information The Indian Citizenship Act was enacted on June 2, 1924, establishing U.S. citizenship for Native Americans born within U.S. territorial limits. The statute is preserved in federal records, including copies held by the National Archives, and is frequently cited in disputes involving jurisdiction and citizenship status. Fort Snelling now serves multiple federal functions, including immigration operations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement publicly lists the St. Paul Field Office at 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1601, Fort Snelling, Minnesota, which corresponds with references to immigration custody at the site. The location also carries documented historical significance. The Minnesota Historical Society records that Dakota non-combatants were confined in a fenced stockade below Fort Snelling in 1862, where more than 1,600 Dakota people were held following the U.S.–Dakota War. In response to current enforcement concerns, Indigenous advocacy groups in Minneapolis have described efforts to help tribal citizens apply for or replace tribal identification cards, including initiatives associated with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. Local organizations such as the Minneapolis American Indian Center provide referrals and documentation support. For accountability, the Department of Homeland Security maintains a public civil rights and civil liberties complaint process through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. ICE also publishes an Office of Professional Responsibility intake route, including an online form and hotline, for reporting misconduct. Key Questions People Are Asking Who did ICE detain in Minneapolis, and where are they now? The Oglala Sioux Tribe says three enrolled members remain in ICE custody in Minnesota after being detained at a Minneapolis homeless encampment. Tribal leaders say the men were transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling after one person detained in the same operation was released. Can ICE legally detain enrolled tribal members? Tribal leaders say enrolled members are U.S. citizens and cannot be held under immigration authority. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 recognizes Native Americans born in the United States as U.S. citizens, placing them outside immigration detention jurisdiction once citizenship is established. Why is the Oglala Sioux Tribe seeking their release? The tribe says immigration law applies to noncitizens, not enrolled tribal members. Tribal officials are requesting confirmation of the men’s status, their release from custody, and a meeting with federal officials to address the detentions. Has ICE detained Native Americans in other cases? Yes. Tribal governments and Native individuals have previously reported stops, document disputes, and mistaken detentions in multiple states, including cases involving the Navajo Nation and an Arizona tribal community. What is DHS’s response so far? The Department of Homeland Security had not issued a public response at the time the tribe’s statement was reported. No public timeline has been announced for resolving the custody status of the three men.