Oglala Sioux President Frank Star Comes Out condemned racial profiling done by ICE via a statement on Facebook, denouncing the treaty violation of four detained tribe members. One has since been released. He’s urging citizens to carry tribal IDs as ICE operations continue. Star notes the detained men were living in a homeless encampment near the Little Earth Housing Complex in South Minneapolis. 

“The Oglala Sioux Tribe’s memorandum makes clear that ‘tribal citizens are not aliens’ and are ‘categorically outside immigration jurisdiction,’” Star said in the issued statement. “Enrolled tribal members are citizens of the United States by statute and citizens of the Oglala Sioux Nation by treaty.”

The statement mentioned a bystander, also a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, confirming their status as members but no further information. Star calls for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide information and release of detainees. The men are currently believed to be held at the Fort Snelling ICE detention center.

Valarie Adams, a spokesperson for the tribe, also released a statement to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and other officials outlining the tribe’s legal position in accordance with the treaty.