The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota on Tuesday called for the immediate release of tribal members who were detained at a homeless encampment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota last week.
Three of the four Oglala Sioux Tribe members who were arrested in Minneapolis on Friday have been transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling. President Frank Star Comes Out stated in a memorandum sent to federal immigration authorities, The Oglala Sioux Tribe’s memorandum makes clear that ‘tribal citizens are not aliens’ and are ‘categorically outside immigration jurisdiction.’ He emphasized that enrolled tribal members are citizens of the United States by statute and citizens of the Oglala Sioux Nation by treaty.
Details about the circumstances that led to their detention remain unclear, with the Department of Homeland Security providing only first names of the detained individuals. Additionally, Star Comes Out mentioned that DHS has refused to release more information unless the tribe enters into an immigration agreement with ICE—a move the tribe has no intention of accepting.
In a post to his Facebook page, Star Comes Out revealed that the four detained tribal members were homeless and living under a bridge in Minneapolis. While one of the members has been released from detention, he demanded information about the status of the three remaining men and requested a meeting with government officials to address the ongoing issues concerning tribal citizens in ICE custody.
As this situation unfolds, the Oglala Sioux Tribe is standing firm in its advocacy for its members and their rights. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this matter.
