In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, members of federally recognized tribes—who are U.S. citizens by birthright—are being wrongfully targeted and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is not only a violation of civil rights, but a direct attack on tribal sovereignty.

Recently, at least five Native Americans were detained by ICE despite being U.S. citizens. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Bay Mills Indian Community are now urging their members to carry proof of citizenship at all times—not because they aren’t citizens, but because ICE agents are racially profiling them based on appearance and language.

This is unacceptable.

Indigenous people should not have to live in fear of being detained in their own homeland. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 clearly establishes that all Native American people born within the U.S. are citizens. ICE’s actions violate that law, erode public trust, and retraumatize communities that have faced centuries of government mistreatment.

We demand that:

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE immediately halt racial profiling practices in Michigan and nationwide;
• All agents receive mandatory training on tribal sovereignty and Native citizenship rights;
• ICE publicly commit to respecting the legal status of Native American citizens and the government-to-government relationship with tribal nations.

Michigan tribes should not have to issue warnings for their members to carry ID just to avoid unlawful detention. No other group of U.S. citizens is subjected to this kind of systemic suspicion.

We stand with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, the Bay Mills Indian Community, and all Native nations calling for accountability. Sign this petition to tell ICE and DHS: stop targeting Native Americans. Uphold the law. Respect tribal sovereignty. End racial profiling now.