Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes | Jan. 14, 2026 | Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan–

The following statement was issued by Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes in response to recent aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.

“The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians strongly condemns recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities that have created fear, confusion, and anxiety within Indigenous communities and among minority communities more broadly. Enforcement actions that rely on intimidation and racial profiling undermine public trust and place innocent people at risk.

“Let me be clear: the Sault Tribe opposes any ICE activity that creates fear and anxiety in both tribal communities and larger communities as a whole. No one should feel unsafe in their neighborhood, workplace, or homeland because of how they look, the language they speak, or the country they were born in.

“Recent incidents involving the unlawful detention of tribal citizens from federally recognized tribal nations are deeply troubling and unacceptable. Tribal citizens are members of sovereign governments. These actions disregard tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between tribal nations and the United States.

“In light of these events, I encourage all Sault Tribe citizens to remain safe and be proactive by knowing their rights and taking the following precautions:

“First, tribal citizens concerned about potential encounters with ICE are encouraged to carry their tribal identification card or a copy of their degree of Indian blood, along with a state-issued ID at all times. Tribal identification affirms tribal citizenship and political status and establishes your identity as a member of a federally recognized tribal nation and as a United States citizen.

“Second, if you are harassed, stopped or detained by ICE, remain calm. You have the right to remain silent and the right to ask to speak with an attorney. Do not sign anything ICE gives you. As a tribal citizen, you cannot be deported. ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge, and you are within your rights to ask them to identify themselves as ICE agents with proper documentation.

“Third, if you are detained, or if a family member is detained, I strongly encourage you to state, ‘I am a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, a federally recognized tribal nation. Under the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, all Native American people born within the territorial limits of the United States are recognized as U.S. citizens by birthright. I am both a tribal citizen and a U.S. citizen. Therefore, ICE has no lawful authority to detain me.’

“In addition, I encourage you to contact the National Immigration Detention Hotline at 866-376-FREE (3733) (for family/friends) or use 9233# from an ICE phone and also call our tribal Legal Department at (906) 635-6050. Timely legal assistance is critical, and no tribal citizen should navigate these situations alone. The Sault Tribe remains readily available to work with officials to provide enrollment documentation and otherwise work towards the release of any tribal citizen who is illegally detained by ICE.

“The Sault Tribe stands in solidarity with other tribal nations and with minority communities who have been impacted and targeted by enforcement actions that rely on fear rather than fairness. We will continue to assert our inherent tribal sovereignty, protect our citizens, and speak out against actions that violate the human rights and dignity of Indigenous people and minorities who are unjustly targeted.”

Categories: Discrimination, Immigration, Racism, U.S. News