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# Fact brief: Have ICE agents detained Native Americans?
- URL: https://www.sdnewswatch.org/fact-brief-ice-native-americans-detained-minneapolis/
- Published: 2026-01-13T11:00:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-13T11:00:52.000Z
- Description: A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
- Author: Michael Klinski
- Tags: Fact briefs, #feature-5

## Yes.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/ab/cbabab5e-2dc6-462c-94a0-b72956c0d224/content/images/2025/01/WhiteFACT-BRIEF--500-x-200-px--2-1-1.png)

Native American tribes from across the country have reported that some of their tribal members have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Indian Citizenship Act in 1924 granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe, which is headquartered in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, said four tribal members were detained Friday in Minneapolis, according to a statement.

The day before, a 20-year-old Red Lake Nation descendant said he was struck on his face and neck by ICE agents even though he said he told them he was an American citizen.

In Iowa, an Arizona tribal member was almost deported after she was turned over to an ICE detainer by mistake in November.

The Navajo Nation said dozens of Native Americans had been questioned or detained, including one woman who said ICE agents thought her federal ID was fake.

*This fact brief responds to conversations such as* [*this one.*](https://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/1q8nge9/five%5Fnative%5Famericans%5Fdetained%5Fby%5Fice%5Fduring/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

### **Source**

Newsweek.com, [ICE Detains and Holds Four Native Americans, Tribal Leader Says](https://www.newsweek.com/ice-detains-native-americans-minnesota-minneapolis-oglala-sioux-11339071?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

Native American Rights Fund, [Resources for individuals and nonprofits approached by ICE](https://narf.org/ice-resources-2026/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

MPR News, [Twin Cities Native American community members share resources, support amid ICE operations](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/11/native-american-community-members-share-resources-support-amid-ice-operations?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

Indian Country Today, ‘I felt like I was kidnapped’: [Ojibwe man recounts ICE detainment](https://ictnews.org/news/i-felt-like-i-was-kidnapped-ojibwe-man-recounts-ice-detainment/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

AZ Mirror, [Arizona tribal member nearly deported after Iowa jail issues ICE detainer by mistake](https://azmirror.com/2025/11/12/arizona-tribal-member-nearly-deported-after-iowa-jail-issues-ice-detainer-by-mistake/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

CBSNews.com, [Dozens of Native Americans report being questioned or detained by ICE](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dozens-of-native-americans-report-being-questioned-or-detained-by-ice/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

Library of Congress, [Indian Citizenship Act](https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/june-02/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)

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