Civil rights in Indian country
Various civil rights laws protect Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Other laws apply to anyone who is present on tribal land or involved with a tribal nation in any way. This guide tells you about many of the civil rights laws that apply in Indian country.
Contents
1. Fast facts
This guide will tell you about some of the civil rights laws that apply if any of these are true:
- You’re a Native American, Alaska Native, Hawaiian Native, or enrolled member of a federally recognized tribal nation
- You interact in Indian country, on a reservation, in an Indian community, or on tribal land including trust land, fee land and allotment land
- You live on or are on present on tribal land regardless of your tribal enrollment status
- You interact with a tribal nation in any way that could give you an Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA) or other civil rights claim
Can an executive order take away citizenship from Native Americans?
No. Native Americans are citizens of both their nation and of the United States. Native American citizenship rights were gained through a history of treaties, acts of congress and case law. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born within the territorial boundaries of the U.S. (including Alaska). An executive order can’t change or remove those rights. Native Americans don’t have to apply for citizenship and don’t have to give up their tribal citizenship. If a Native American person is born in the U.S., even on sovereign tribal land, they are a U.S. citizen in addition to being a citizen of their nation.
If you are worried about profiling or misclassification by ICE, try to carry your tribal ID or a picture of your tribal ID with you. If you get stopped or held by ICE in Washington state and are an enrolled member of a tribal nation in Washington state, get legal help right away.