Bad River Band forum addresses ICE concerns

A Northern Wisconsin Tribe is addressing growing concerns over immigration enforcement and Tribal sovereignty.

The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa held a community forum last week after recent reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on the reservation.

According to the Wisconsin Examiner, Tribal leaders have sounded alarms after reports that Native Americans, including enrolled tribal citizens, were picked up or questioned by ICE during enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.

Tribal Chairwoman Liz Arbuckle spoke about the stress the community is facing.

“It’s unnerving. We’ve seen Native people picked up in Minneapolis. We’ve heard those stories. We’ve seen those stories. So we are unnerved. So a little extra preparedness, thoughtfulness, kindness, it won’t go amiss, that’s for sure.”

Leaders urged members to carry Tribal enrollment identification along with a photo ID. Arbuckle says Tribal IDs are free for enrolled Bad River members and can be updated if needed.

They also highlighted statewide resources such as the Native American Rights Fund, the ACLU of Wisconsin, and Legal Action Wisconsin, which can help Tribal members understand their rights and create personal safety plans.

State Representative Angela Stroud, a Democrat representing the 73rd Assembly District, spoke about ICE activity across the region.

“It’s targeting urban areas, but it’s not limited to urban areas,” said Stroud. “Rural areas are also being affected and so it’s not that we know they’re going to come, but we need to be prepared because it’s happening throughout our region, even if it’s focused on Minnesota right now.”

Several Wisconsin Tribes, including Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Oneida, and Ho-Chunk, are notifying members that agents cannot enter a home without a judicially signed warrant.

Wisconsin Tribes are issuing guidance on documenting encounters, accessing legal help, and creating personal safety plans.