
Diné lawmakers, area law enforcement address concerns over ICE activity near Diné Bikéyah
By Robert Bettis
Navajo Times
CHINLE
As concerns grow over potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities targeting Indigenous communities, Navajo Nation leaders and area law enforcement are working to address fears, dispel rumors, and provide guidance to protect Diné.
Recent reports of ICE presence near the Navajo Nation and in urban areas with large Navajo populations have sparked anxiety, prompting leaders to act and reassure the community.
Delegate Nathan Notah, a Law and Order Committee member, expressed concern about the potential for ICE to target Navajo people, particularly those living off the Nation.
“I think the Nation does need to be concerned as time goes along,” Notah said. “Especially urban Navajo families that live in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Cruces, Albuquerque. They have the potential of being harassed more than us here on the reservation.”
Notah shared that he’s heard of college students at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona who have reported being questioned by authorities, and he emphasized the importance of carrying proper identification, such as a Certificate of Indian Blood, driver’s license, or passport for proof of identity.
Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton, the LOC chair, echoed these concerns. She has personally received over 100 calls from community members since sharing her phone number publicly over a week ago.
“I’ve been telling people to carry their driver’s license or ID at all times, even to check the mail,” Charles-Newton said. “I also encourage people to take a picture of their CIB in case they need it, but I discourage carrying birth certificates or social security cards because if they’re lost, they can be used to steal someone’s identity.”
Charles-Newton shared stories from community members, including a mother and son in Phoenix who were stopped by police and had their IDs checked, and a man in Chandler who was questioned about his citizenship while walking out of a gas station.
“Outsiders may not know you’re Navajo,” she said. “Agents from other parts of the country might not recognize us, and that’s dangerous. It’s scary to think we have to carry documents to prove who we are … but that’s the reality right now.”
Both delegates emphasized the importance of tribal sovereignty in addressing these issues. Notah suggested that the Navajo Nation leadership engage with state governors, U.S. senators, and representatives to advocate for clearer communication with ICE and ensure Navajo citizens are protected.
“We need to communicate with (state governors and legislators) and let them know that they need to talk with the immigration service. They need to be careful if people are indicating that they’re Native,” Notah said.
Notah also mentioned interest in the creation of a federally recognized tribal ID that includes seals from the Department of the Interior or Bureau of Indian Affairs to help distinguish Native American citizens from non-Native individuals.
While concerns about ICE activity persist, local law enforcement agencies in areas bordering the Navajo Nation have reported no confirmed ICE operations.
Bloomfield Police Chief Phillip Francisco, the former Navajo Nation Police chief, confirmed that to his knowledge there are no plans for ICE agents to enter the area. “At this time, there are no plans for ICE agents to enter Bloomfield or question any members of our community,” Francisco told the Navajo Times. “We’re keeping a close eye on the situation and staying in contact with other agencies to ensure the safety of our community.”
In Flagstaff, rumors of Homeland Security conducting deportation activities against Native citizens have been addressed by the Flagstaff Police Department. Flagstaff Police’s Jerry Rintala, a public relations sergeant, clarified that an image circulating on social media of a Homeland Security vehicle was a Federal Protective Service vehicle, which is used to protect federal facilities, not conduct immigration enforcement.
“We want to reassure everyone that these reports are not accurate,” Rintala said. “Homeland Security is not currently conducting any operations in the community related to deportation here in Flagstaff.”
Navajo Nation leaders are working to establish resources, including a potential hotline, for citizens who may be impacted by ICE activities. In the meantime, delegates urge community members to stay vigilant, carry proper identification, and report any incidents to local authorities or tribal leaders.
“This feels like history repeating itself,” Charles-Newton said. “When you’re brown and have experienced discrimination, you know how scary this is. We need to stay informed, stay prepared, and look out for one another.”
Delegate Charles-Newton recommends any concerned community members to contact her at (928) 257-0476 to make a report or ask questions.