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Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026

Have ICE agents detained Native Americans?


yes

Native American tribes from across the country have reported that some of their tribal members have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Indian Citizenship Act in 1924 granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe, which is headquartered in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, said four tribal members were detained Friday in Minneapolis, according to a statement.

The day before, a 20-year-old Red Lake Nation descendant said he was struck on his face and neck by ICE agents even though he said he told them he was an American citizen.

In Iowa, an Arizona tribal member was almost deported after she was turned over to an ICE detainer by mistake in November.

The Navajo Nation said dozens of Native Americans had been questioned or detained, including one woman who said ICE agents thought her federal ID was fake.

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