SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Multiple tribes in South Dakota are taking extra steps to protect tribal member identities in the wake of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout the country.
The Yankton Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Lower Brule Sioux Tribe are temporarily waiving the fees for tribal ID cards for enrolled members.
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“It has come to our attention that ICE may pose a risk to undocumented individuals or those facing identification challenges,” Sisseton-Wahpeton Chairman Garrett Renville said in a release. “This policy reflects the tribe’s commitment to protecting its member’s safety, sovereignty, and legal rights under all circumstances.”
In separate news releases, the four tribes expressed concerns about tribal members potentially being mistaken for undocumented immigrants and detained, despite being legal, permanent residents of a reservation.
“Racial profiling could result in US citizens and immigrants who ordinarily wouldn’t be subject to expedited removal being deported,” Rosebud’s President Kathleen Wooden Knife said in a news release. “Expedited deportation threatens the due process rights of all US citizens, including tribal members.”
Membership documents for a Native American tribe are considered evidence of identity, lawful permanent residence and citizenship of the United States, Wooden Knife said in the news release. Tribal IDs on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation normally cost $20.
According to the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations, tribal identification cards are valid forms of identification for banking, check cashing, and age verification. They are treated the same as a driver’s license. While each tribe has their own criteria for tribal enrollment, a valid tribal ID is required to have a legal name, date of birth, signature and picture of the card carrier.
Due to “heightened concerns” about ICE raids, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate said ID cards will be issued to tribal members immediately, but out-of-state and off-reservation members will take precedence at this time.
Navajo Nation, a reservation spanning parts of Arizona and New Mexico, have received reports of tribal members being stopped and questioned by federal agents.
Officials from Sisseton-Wahpeton and Rosebud encouraged tribal members to carry their tribal IDs with them at all times. It’s unclear when the free ID cards will end for the two tribes, but Yankton’s will run until Feb. 7.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has also expressed concerns for its member’s identification and are working on a plan to issue tribal IDs to all members on and off-reservation.
