MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement flooded Minneapolis, Shane Mantz dug his Choctaw Nation citizenship card out of a box on his dresser and slid it into his wallet.Some strangers mistake the pest-control company manager for latino, he said, and he fears getting caught up in ICE raids.
Like Mantz, many Native Americans are carrying tribal documents proving their U.S. citizenship in case they are stopped or questioned by federal immigration agents. This is why dozens of the 575 federally recognized Native nations are making it easier to get tribal IDs. They’re waiving fees, lowering the age of eligibility – ranging from 5 to 18 nationwide – and printing the cards faster.
It’s the first time tribal IDs have been widely used as proof of U.S. citizenship and protection against federal law enforcement, said David Wilkins, an expert on Native politics and governance at the University of Richmond.
“I don’t think ther’s anything historically comparable,” Wilkins said. “I find it terribly frustrating and disheartening.”
As Native Americans around the country rush to secure documents proving their right to live in the United States, many see a bitter irony.
“As the first people of this land, there’s no reason why Native Americans should have their citizenship questioned,” said Jaqueline de León, a senior staff attorney with the nonprofit Native American Rights fund and member of Isleta Pueblo.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didn’t respond to more than four requests for comment over a week.
Native identity in a new age of fear
Sence the mid- to late 1800s, the U.S. government has kept detailed genealogical records to estimate Native Americans’ fraction of “Indian blood” and determine their eligibility for health care, housing, education and other services owed under federal legal responsibilities. Those records were also used to aid federal assimilation efforts and chip away at tribal sovereignty, communal lands and identity.
Begining in the late 1960s, many tribal nations began issuing their own forms of identification. In the last two decades, tribal photo ID cards have become commonplace and can be used to vote in tribal elections, to prove U.S. work eligibility and for domestic air travel.
About 70% of Native Americans today live in urban areas, including tens of thousands in the Twin Cities, one of the largest urban Native populations in the country.
There, in early January, a top ICE official announced the “largest immigration operation ever.”
Masked, heavily armed agents traveling in convoys of unmarked SUVs became commonplace in some neighborhoods. By this week, more than 3,400 people had b## concerns Raised Over ICE Interactions with Native Americans
This report details concerns raised by Native Americans regarding interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). the incidents described highlight issues of mistaken identity and the need for Native Americans to carry tribal identification to avoid potential issues. As of January 30, 2026, no further developments have been reported beyond the details outlined in the original source.### Experiences of Mistaken Identity
According to the report, Native Americans are experiencing instances of being wrongly targeted by ICE. One individual, Yazzie, was arrested after a discrepancy was found between the name on a vehicle registration (registered to his mother) and his own identification. He was detained for approximately four hours. He described the experience as dehumanizing, stating it stemmed from assumptions based on his appearance.
### Lack of Response from DHS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not respond to inquiries regarding Yazzie’s arrest, as reported in the original source.
### Increased Precautionary Measures
Another native American, Mantz, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, stated he routinely carries tribal identification documents when working in areas where ICE is active.He is now prioritizing securing these documents for his children. Mantz expressed frustration at the necessity of proving his identity, questioning the authority to demand such proof.
### Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is a federally recognized Native American tribe. Tribal identification cards are issued by the tribe to it’s citizens. Details regarding tribal ID cards can be found on the Choctaw Nation website.
### Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency.Its mission includes enforcing immigration laws within the United States. Further information about ICE’s mission and operations can be found on its official website.
