Detention of Elaine Miles by ICE Raises Concerns Over Tribal ID Validity

Elaine Miles, a Native American actress known for her roles in *Northern Exposure* and *The Last of Us*, reported being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Redmond, Washington. The incident occurred as she was walking to a bus stop near the Bear Creek Village shopping center on November 19, 2023. According to Miles, four agents, wearing masks and ICE-labeled vests, approached her from two unmarked black SUVs and demanded to see her identification. When she presented her tribal ID from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, one agent allegedly dismissed it as “fake,” while another claimed, “Anyone can make that.”

The IndependentNewsweekDaily MailThe Last of Us star says she was detained by ICE after agents called her tribal ID 'fake'Raw Story

Tribal IDs, such as the one issued by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), are recognized as valid forms of identification by federal agencies. The CTUIR is composed of three tribes: the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla, and has approximately 3,100 enrolled members. Historically, these tribes signed a treaty with the U.S. government in 1855, ceding millions of acres of their ancestral lands. Despite their recognized citizenship under the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, Miles and her family have faced challenges regarding the legitimacy of their tribal IDs during encounters with ICE.

The Independent

The incident has drawn criticism regarding potential racial profiling by ICE agents. Gabriel Galanda, a tribal rights attorney, stated, “What we’re talking about here is racial profiling,” highlighting concerns that individuals may be targeted based on their appearance. Miles noted that both her son and uncle had similar experiences with ICE agents questioning their tribal IDs before ultimately releasing them. This pattern raises alarms about the treatment of Native Americans by immigration enforcement, particularly amid heightened scrutiny of ICE's practices.

Raw Story

In response to the incident, Miles expressed her frustration on social media, stating, “I said, ‘Do I sound Mexican, f**k no.’” She criticized the agents for their actions and emphasized that they should focus on apprehending serious criminals rather than detaining individuals waiting at a bus stop. The Seattle Times reported that ICE has increased its arrest targets in the region, which may contribute to the heightened enforcement atmosphere.

The Independent

While Miles reported the incident occurred in Redmond, some sources mentioned Pendleton, Oregon, leading to discrepancies in the location details. Additionally, there is no evidence that the Flock Safety license-plate cameras were used in this incident, despite the city council's concerns about their potential use in immigration enforcement.

The Independent

• “Anyone can make that.” — ICE Agent

The Last of Us star says she was detained by ICE after agents called her tribal ID 'fake'

• “What we’re talking about here is racial profiling,” — Gabriel Galanda, Tribal Rights Attorney

Raw Story

• “FK ICE…I got stopped & showed tribal ID and they said it looked fake. Told them call that number & it will be The Enrollment Office of my tribe. They kept saying ‘anyone can make those, it’s fake.’ I was so mad! I said, ‘Do I sound Mexican, fk no.’ Then, I got my phone out, ‘I’ll f*in call the Tribe for you.’ They tried taking my phone! Son of a b*hes make me sick & angry! Racist BIGOTS and one of them was Mexican! Told him you’re a disgrace to your people, for all brown people. They suppose to be taking the ‘rapist, felon, robbers, drug n human traffickers’ not women waiting at bus stop. Watch your back in the Eastside of the Emerald City!” — Elaine Miles

Newsweek

The incident involving Elaine Miles underscores ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement practices and the rights of Native Americans, raising critical questions about identity verification and racial profiling in the context of U.S. immigration policy.

Raw Story