Increased ICE Detentions Prompt Caution Among First Nations Leaders

First Nations leaders are urging caution for members traveling to the United States due to reports of increased detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Blood Tribe Chief and Council in Alberta issued a public advisory recommending that members avoid non-essential travel across the U.S. border. This advisory follows incidents where Indigenous individuals were reportedly stopped or detained by U.S. authorities, raising concerns about the respect for Canadian status cards by U.S. officials. The advisory emphasized the importance of carrying proper documentation, including proof of birth in Canada and evidence of American Indian blood quantum, as Canadian federal certificates of Indian status have not been universally accepted.

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The advisory references the Jay Treaty, signed in 1794, which was intended to guarantee free cross-border mobility for Indigenous peoples. Despite this historical agreement, recent actions by U.S. immigration authorities have been perceived as violations of these rights. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) confirmed that at least one First Nations individual had a negative encounter with ICE, prompting AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak to issue a cautionary statement. She asserted that such actions breach the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples and called on the U.S. government to uphold these rights.

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border

The situation has led to a broader community response, including calls for a nationwide strike against ICE operations. Community organizer Ozuya Cikala of the Oglala Lakota Nation described recent federal actions as instilling fear within communities, likening them to "kidnappings." He emphasized the historical context of state violence against Indigenous peoples, urging national unity in response to these actions.

First nation leader backs general strike in response to ICE

In addition to the Blood Tribe, several other First Nations, including the Kashechewan First Nation and the Mississauga First Nation, have issued similar advisories, urging members to carry proper identification and avoid unnecessary travel to the U.S.

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border

Indigenous Services Canada acknowledged reports of confiscation or damage to status cards in the U.S. and stated that it can issue emergency replacements. The department has coordinated with Global Affairs Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency to provide support for individuals returning to Canada without their cards.

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border

Critics, including Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, have condemned ICE's practices, highlighting a specific case where an individual's certificate of Indian status was seized. Benedict expressed concern over the potential for First Nations citizens to be placed in detention centers, emphasizing the need for protective measures.

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border

While many First Nations have reported negative encounters with ICE, the specifics of these incidents vary, with some sources indicating a broader pattern of detentions involving Indigenous individuals from various tribes, including the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Navajo Nation. However, the exact number of detentions and the circumstances surrounding them remain unclear, highlighting a gap in comprehensive reporting on this issue.

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border

• “These actions are a violation of our inherent rights and a breach of the Jay Treaty, which guarantees the free passage of First Nations peoples across the border,” — Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, AFN National Chief

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border

• “The last thing we want is one of our First Nations citizens being in a detention centre.” — Abram Benedict, Ontario Regional Chief

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border

• “They called my people savages, then hostiles, rebels, and radicals. Today, they call our people domestic terrorists. We call ourselves human beings.” — Ozuya Cikala, Community Organizer

First nation leader backs general strike in response to ICE

The ongoing situation reflects a complex interplay of historical treaties, current immigration enforcement practices, and the rights of Indigenous peoples, necessitating continued vigilance and advocacy from First Nations leaders and communities.

First Nations raise alarm over ICE detentions, urge caution crossing U.S. border