Federal immigration raids in Minnesota have escalated into a major controversy, with accusations that agents unlawfully detained and racially profiled U.S. citizens who are members of Native American tribes. The incidents have triggered protests and fierce condemnation from indigenous leaders and state officials.
Treaty Rights and Citizenship Ignored
According to tribal leaders, four members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe were arrested last week, with three still held in federal detention as of Friday 16 January 2026. In a separate incident, a member of the Red Lake Nation was also briefly detained. Indigenous authorities assert these actions represent a grave breach of binding treaties, federal law, and constitutional protections.
They emphasise the United States' trust responsibility towards Native nations and argue that the detentions make a mockery of their inherent citizenship. "Our citizenship is not negotiable," tribal leaders stated, highlighting a history of sovereignty recognised long before the founding of the modern U.S.
Official Condemnation and Federal Response
Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan, herself a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, publicly condemned what she called "obvious racial profiling." She stressed that Native people have been citizens of this land for millennia, long predating current immigration laws.
In response to the outcry, Homeland Security officials have requested basic information to verify the encounters. Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement reiterating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations focus on individuals "unlawfully present" in the country, without directly addressing the allegations of profiling against citizens.
Broader Implications and Community Outcry
The detentions have ignited significant unrest, with protests erupting across Minnesota. The situation raises profound questions about the conduct of federal immigration enforcement on tribal lands and against indigenous people, whose unique political status is enshrined in nation-to-nation agreements.
Community leaders and civil rights advocates are demanding the immediate release of those detained and a full investigation into the practices of ICE agents during the enforcement surge in the greater Minneapolis area. The events underscore a critical clash between federal immigration policy and the sovereign rights of Native American nations.
