The Penobscot Nation is urging its members to carry their tribal identification during the expected immigration clampdown in Maine.
Nearly a year ago, the nation advised its members to take the same precaution as President Donald Trump vowed to fulfill his campaign promise to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants.
It comes, as well, as reports trickle in across the country of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have detained — and in some cases, nearly deported — members of Indigenous tribes, who have been granted citizenship since 1924.
Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said in a Tuesday message to the tribe that he was unaware of any such cases between the nation’s members and ICE. Nonetheless, he was advising them to carry documentation proving their tribal citizenship.
“While no one should be required to prove their identity as a Native American, having documentation available may help avoid unnecessary complications,” he wrote.
Francis also raised concerns about insufficient training among ICE agents for dealing with Indigenous citizens and reports of agents using racial profiling. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision temporarily allowing ICE agents to use factors such as race, whether someone speaks Spanish or is outside a Home Depot as grounds for detaining and questioning them about their immigration status.
Maine is expecting an influx of ICE agents, particularly around Portland and Lewiston, which both have large populations of Somali immigrants. That community has faced scrutiny in Maine and in Minnesota over allegations of welfare and Medicaid fraud.
Francis wrote Tuesday that the Penobscot Nation will work to prove the citizenship of any members who get detained by ICE agents.
“Our Penobscot Nation has endured many challenges throughout our history, and we continue to stand strong together. The Tribal Council remains committed to protecting the rights, safety, and sovereignty of our people,” he wrote.
