Greetings, my fellow Senecas,
Recent events and ongoing news reports of interactions between individual citizens and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have caused increased anxiety and confusion in communities across the country, including within the Seneca Nation and other Native Nations. Many of our people have expressed concern over potential ICE actions within our community and on our territories.
The Seneca Nation has established protocols for any foreign government whose officers and officials are seeking to enter our territories for non-criminal law enforcement and non-emergency activities. In November, I personally reached out to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure that she and all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel were aware of our protocols and the sovereignty reflected in our treaty agreements with the United States. We have also been in contact with the Senior Tribal Advisor on Indian Affairs at DHS, as well as our federal representatives, and have requested a face-to-face meeting with leaders in the Buffalo office of ICE.
We are doing everything we can to safeguard our people, our territories, and our sovereignty.
In the meantime, we are also encouraging all Nation members to make sure you have your Seneca Nation ID. In the event that you have an interaction with ICE personnel, on our territories or elsewhere, it is important to remember that Tribal IDs are valid forms of identification. Part of our outreach is to make sure that federal agencies and officials are familiar with our Seneca Nation ID and aware of what our IDs look like. If you do not have a Nation ID or need assistance in obtaining your Nation ID, please contact the Clerk’s office so they can assist you.
Also, please be aware that there are individuals – on social media, in our community, and elsewhere – who will unfortunately try to use current events as a way to spread fear and anxiety. We cannot and will not let that happen here. We will continue to work every angle and take every precaution to ensure that our people and our territories are safe. Please do everything you can to keep yourself out of harm’s way.
Nya:wëh,
President J. Conrad Seneca
