Recent reports from Navajo Nation officials indicate that at least 15 Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico have been stopped, questioned, or detained by federal law enforcement during immigration raids. These actions have caused panic within tribal communities and are part of the Trump administration's efforts to increase undocumented immigrant arrests nationwide.
The exact number of Navajo and other Indigenous tribal citizens apprehended is still under investigation. The Navajo Nation Council has reached out to various authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security, governors of Arizona and New Mexico, and ICE, to address these reports.
One incident involved a Navajo tribal member in Phoenix who was mistakenly targeted during a raid. Despite presenting tribal identification, the individual was questioned but later released.
Arizona state Sen. Theresa Hatathlie received a report of a Navajo woman being questioned by ICE at her workplace and asked to prove her Native identity. The woman and seven other Indigenous citizens were detained for two hours before being allowed to leave.
Operation Rainbow Bridge has launched the Immigration Crisis Initiative to assist Indigenous people impacted by these raids. Indigenous tribal members are advised to carry state-issued identification and their Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood to prepare for potential encounters with law enforcement.
The Navajo Nation Office of the President has released a tip guide for Indigenous individuals confronted by immigration agents, emphasizing the importance of knowing their rights and documenting interactions.
Indigenous people are urged to apply for tribal ID cards and educate their families on how to respond if approached by immigration officials. The guidance also advises against opening doors to agents without a valid warrant.
These immigration raids have sparked fear and anger within Native communities, with concerns raised about the safety of tribes living near the border. Indigenous leaders emphasize that such anti-immigration tactics contradict Indigenous values and the harmonious way of life they have maintained for generations.
