News erupted from Minneapolis, Minnesota, last Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, as reports began to emerge that 37-year-old American citizen Renee Good was fatally shot by ICE agents. The news broke in the wake of more than 2,000 immigration officers being deployed into Minnesota in what Immigration and Customs Enforcement has called “The largest DHS operation ever.” The increased presence of ICE in Minneapolis and in cities across the U.S. has raised concerns for residents in several communities, including those who are U.S. citizens and Indigenous Americans.
There have been numerous reports of Native Americans in the Minneapolis area who have been targeted, detained, and intimidated by ICE agents in the days surrounding the tragic incident on January 7th. Dating back to November 2025, even before the increased ICE presence in Minneapolis, reports emerged of Native American citizens being stopped, questioned, and detained by ICE agents in Iowa and Washington State. The first reports of Native citizens being harassed by ICE came from Arizona and New Mexico regarding Navajo Nation citizens dating back to January of 2025, just days after the inauguration. These actions appear to be driven by racial profiling and bias, based solely on appearance, causing significant and unjust harm to Native Americans residing in both urban and rural communities.
For far too long, the U.S. government has caused or been implicated in harm done to Native communities due to broken treaties and unjust government policies. The unfounded and unlawful targeting of Native communities and individuals by Immigration Officers reflects a blatant misuse of authority and highlights the ongoing violence Native individuals and communities continue to face.
Indigenous peoples have been in the Americas for time immemorial. Since 1924, the U.S. government guarantees birthright citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States. It is certain that the threat to Native Americans is a direct violation of the rights of U.S. citizens.
This moment demands reflection, accountability, and action. The United States must move beyond the historical and ongoing harms caused to Native Americans.
Our hearts and support go out to the individuals and communities affected by recent ICE activity. We remain committed to our work of uplifting and supporting all our Indigenous relatives and creating a better future for our youth.
Resources
Native American Rights Fund: https://narf.org/ice-resources-2026/
National Immigrant Justice Center: https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/
Sources
At Running Strong for American Indian Youth, we are dedicated to sharing truthful information and supporting all our indigenous relatives to create a better future for Native American Youth.
“Native American Caucus Members Condemns Detainment and Racial Targeting of Native Americans by ICE” By: members of the Native American Caucus in the Minnesota Legislature, Posted by the Minnesota House of Representatives; https://www.house.mn.gov/members/Profile/News/15539/41109
“Five Native Americans detained by ICE during ongoing raids in Minneapolis” By: Amelia Schafer, Posted by Indian Country Today; https://ictnews.org/news/five-native-americans-detained-by-ice-during-ongoing-raids-in-minneapolis/
“Umatilla actress questioned by immigration enforcement” By: Nika Bartoo-Smith, Posted by Indian Country Today; https://ictnews.org/news/northwest-bureau/umatilla-actress-questioned-by-immigration-enforcement/
“Navajo Nation leaders raise alarm over reports of Indigenous people being questioned and detained during immigration sweeps” By: Alaa Elassar, Posted by CNN,https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/us/navajo-detained-ice-indigenous-immigration-trump
