ICE Detains Oglala Sioux Members at Historic Fort Snelling Site
In January 2026, a troubling event unfolded as three enrolled members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the historic Fort Snelling site. This location holds significant historical weight, having served as an internment camp during the U.S.-Dakota Wars of 1862-63. Estimates indicate that between 100 and 300 Dakota individuals perished there due to starvation, disease, and harsh conditions.
Background of the Detentions
The detentions in question occurred during ICE operations in Minneapolis on January 9, 2026. Initially, four Oglala Sioux members were taken into custody, with three later transferred to Fort Snelling. Frank Star Comes Out, the Oglala Sioux Chairman, condemned the detainments as illegal, asserting the rights of these individuals as both U.S. citizens and citizens of the Oglala Sioux Nation. He emphasized that they should not be subjected to immigration enforcement.
Tribal Leadership Response
- Frank Star Comes Out stated the tribe has not entered into any immigration agreement with ICE.
- The tribe seeks clarity on the legal basis for these detentions.
- Local nonprofit organizations have voiced concerns regarding the disproportionate impact of ICE actions on Indigenous peoples.
Advocacy for Indigenous Rights
Consejo Hispano, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating discrimination and inequality, highlighted the incident as part of a broader pattern of immigration practices that target marginalized communities. Executive Director Jenny Pool Radway pointed out that many served by their organization are Indigenous to Latin America and experience discrimination within the U.S. immigration system.
Pool Radway stressed that the inherent rights of Indigenous people to move freely on their ancestral lands are continuously violated by immigration detentions. She stated, “No one should be detained, deported, or disappeared by ICE.”
Broader Concerns Within Indigenous Communities
Chinook Indian Nation Chairman Tony A. Johnson also expressed his frustration, citing the detentions of the Oglala tribe members as part of a concerning trend. He noted that U.S. laws are often applied selectively, especially regarding Indigenous individuals, reflecting historical injustices. Johnson underscored that no Native or U.S. citizen should face detention by ICE, advocating for a review of current practices amid rising detentions.
Johnson drew parallels between contemporary immigration policies and historical federal actions that forcibly removed Indigenous children, warning that more needs to be done to protect the rights and lives of Indigenous peoples.
Conclusion
The detainment of Oglala Sioux members at Fort Snelling has elicited widespread concern among tribal leaders and advocacy groups. It underscores ongoing issues regarding the recognition of tribal sovereignty and the impact of federal immigration policies on Indigenous communities. The situation remains under scrutiny as calls for justice and reform continue to grow.
