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| Phoenix protest of ICE after the murder of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Jan. 8, 2026 Photo KJZZ. |
ICE Terrorizing Navajo, Yaqui and Shawnee in Arizona and Oklahoma
By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Jan. 16, 2026
ICE is terrorizing Native Americans. A Navajo on his way to work in the Phoenix Valley was grabbed by ICE on Monday. A Pascua Yaqui tribal member grabbed near Tohono O'odham's San Xavier District, bordering Tucson, reveals how federal agents are terrorizing U.S. citizens and migrants in detention. In Oklahoma, Absentee Shawnee are now being harassed and detained by ICE agents.
"Peter Yazzie told ICE agents where they could locate his Certificate of Indian Blood, birth certificate and other documents proving that he was both a U.S. citizen and Native American. It made no difference. They aggressively placed him in the back of their vehicle and drove away early the morning of Monday, Jan. 12."
"Yazzie was unaware that ICE was expanding operations throughout Phoenix and surrounding cities. Parked at a QT gas station between Peoria and Sun City near his job site, his morning began as usual, waking at 4 a.m. for his 5 a.m. shift."
ICE is terrorizing Native Americans. A Navajo on his way to work in the Phoenix Valley was grabbed by ICE on Monday. A Pascua Yaqui tribal member grabbed near Tohono O'odham's San Xavier District, bordering Tucson, reveals how federal agents are terrorizing U.S. citizens and migrants in detention. In Oklahoma, Absentee Shawnee are now being harassed and detained by ICE agents.
In Minneapolis, protests continue at Fort Snelling, where Native Americans illegally arrested have been taken. Outside the Whipple building federal agents have been firing tear gas and pepper balls as the protests continue. It is the site of the removal and genocide of Dakota people.
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| Protests continue at Fort Snelling today during a snowstorm. https://x.com/i/status/2012265611724796323 |
In Arizona, Peter Yazzie, Dine', was on his way to work in Peoria, in the Phoenix Valley, at 4 a.m., on Monday, when ICE grabbed him, ignoring his tribal ID and the fact that he is a U.S. citizen, reports Arlyssa D. Becenti, at the Arizona Republic.
"Peter Yazzie told ICE agents where they could locate his Certificate of Indian Blood, birth certificate and other documents proving that he was both a U.S. citizen and Native American. It made no difference. They aggressively placed him in the back of their vehicle and drove away early the morning of Monday, Jan. 12."
"Yazzie was unaware that ICE was expanding operations throughout Phoenix and surrounding cities. Parked at a QT gas station between Peoria and Sun City near his job site, his morning began as usual, waking at 4 a.m. for his 5 a.m. shift."
Pascua Yaqui describes the terrorism of federal agents
A Pascua Yaqui tribal member describes the verbal assault they went underwent as they were terrorized after being grabbed near the Tohono O'odham Nation's San Xavier District, bordering Tucson. Federal agents said they could "kill" them if they wanted. They could hear cries and screams.
"They inspected them and told me that my Tribal ID was not a valid form of identification and that my other two IDs 'seemed fake,'" said the Pascua Yaqui tribal member that asked to remain anonymous.
"They inspected them and told me that my Tribal ID was not a valid form of identification and that my other two IDs 'seemed fake,'" said the Pascua Yaqui tribal member that asked to remain anonymous.
"I explained that they were real, and that a Tribal ID is valid because it identifies me as a citizen of a federally recognized tribe. They told me not to 'get smart' with them, told me I was 'an illegal,' and said they could do anything they wanted to me as long as I was there.
"They had also told me they would 'Do anything in our power to have illegals like you deported and if not killed.' I told them that wasn't true, that I am from here, and that I am a U.S. citizen."
"They eventually left the room, and about seven or eight hours later they returned and told me I was going to be released."
"I was escorted out, and as I walked past, I heard certain agents making comments like 'I can't wait to get rid of them all' and 'I'm gonna turn them into my slaves.'"
Pascua Yaqui's Statement
"They had also told me they would 'Do anything in our power to have illegals like you deported and if not killed.' I told them that wasn't true, that I am from here, and that I am a U.S. citizen."
"They eventually left the room, and about seven or eight hours later they returned and told me I was going to be released."
"I was escorted out, and as I walked past, I heard certain agents making comments like 'I can't wait to get rid of them all' and 'I'm gonna turn them into my slaves.'"
Absentee Shawnee in Oklahoma reported harassment and detainment by ICE this week, reports New 9.
In a statement from Gov. John R. Johnson, Johnson says amid the federal government’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, federal officers have “begun to approach, question and even detain Tribal Members in Oklahoma.”
Gov. Johnson’s statement says Tribal Members were accosted by officers using unconstitutional racial profiling techniques, and also says there is no reasonable basis, suspicion, or probable cause to restrict the liberties of Native Americans based on skin color, hair color, eye color or a lack of identification.
“Just because a Native American may resemble, superficially, a migrant from Central or South America, that does not mean that federal officers have the right to approach,” Gov. Johnson statement says.
In a statement from Gov. John R. Johnson, Johnson says amid the federal government’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, federal officers have “begun to approach, question and even detain Tribal Members in Oklahoma.”
Gov. Johnson’s statement says Tribal Members were accosted by officers using unconstitutional racial profiling techniques, and also says there is no reasonable basis, suspicion, or probable cause to restrict the liberties of Native Americans based on skin color, hair color, eye color or a lack of identification.
“Just because a Native American may resemble, superficially, a migrant from Central or South America, that does not mean that federal officers have the right to approach,” Gov. Johnson statement says.
“These prejudicial activities are being carried out by Immigration Customs and Enforcement, but our Members should expect either cooperation from state and local law enforcement agencies with ICE; and/or a complete adoption of these policies and procedures.”
Continue reading and watch the broadcast https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-politics/absentee-shawnee-tribal-leaders-citizens-harassment-ice
Today in Phoenix: Deportation Flight to Venezuela
This migrant deportation flight is out of Mesa Gateway Airport in the Phoenix Valley to Venezuela today. Although Avelo airlines is no longer flying deportation flights out of Mesa -- other ICE contractors are.
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, where thousands of ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents are terrorizing the community, the ICE Flight Monitor tracked one migrant deportation flight from Minneapolis to Guantanamo Naval Base during January.
Video and transcript by Indigenous Alliance without Borders
Hello. I've chosen to remain anonymous for the safety of my family.
In late January of 2025, sometime after the inauguration, I was walking at night near the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation. I noticed a van driving slowly behind me. At first, I thought it was normal, but after about ten minutes of it continuing to follow me, I began to feel nervous. Something in my instincts told me that something wasn't right, so I started running out of fear.
The van then sped up toward me, pulled in front of me, and the people inside tackled me. They told me they were police but I noticed their vest and realized it was ICE and they told me I was under arrest for "suspicious activity." I was taken to a center, placed in a room, and told I would be questioned soon.
I waited in that room for about five hours. During that time, all I could hear were people yelling, others crying, and at one point an agent screaming at someone,
"Shut your fucking mouth before I beat your god damn ass." The entire place felt hostile and frightening.
When they finally came in to question me, the first thing they asked was if I was a U.S. citizen. I told them yes, and I explained that I am a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona. They asked for identification, and I handed them my driver's license, my state ID, and my Tribal ID.
They inspected them and told me that my Tribal ID was not a valid form of identification and that my other two IDs "seemed fake." I explained that they were real, and that a Tribal ID is valid because it identifies me as a citizen of a federally recognized tribe. They told me not to "get smart" with them, told me I was "an illegal," and said they could do anything they wanted to me as long as I was there.
They had also told me they would "Do anything in our power to have illegals like you deported and if not killed". I told them that wasn't true, that I am from here, and that I am a U.S. citizen.
They eventually left the room, and about seven or eight hours later they returned and told me I was going to be released.
I was escorted out, and as I walked past, I heard certain agents making comments like "I can't wait to get rid of them all" and "I'm gonna turn them into my slaves". By the time I stepped outside, the sun was already going down. I'm thankful that nothing physical happened to me other than being tackled, but I was extremely worried about the other people I heard inside, and what they might have been going through.
Once I was released, I called a friend who came to pick me up. We went to get food, because none of us were given anything to eat or drink during all those hours at the center.
I never reported this incident out of fear for my family's safety. Even now, I am choosing to remain anonymous. But I am grateful to have my story told.
In late January of 2025, sometime after the inauguration, I was walking at night near the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation. I noticed a van driving slowly behind me. At first, I thought it was normal, but after about ten minutes of it continuing to follow me, I began to feel nervous. Something in my instincts told me that something wasn't right, so I started running out of fear.
The van then sped up toward me, pulled in front of me, and the people inside tackled me. They told me they were police but I noticed their vest and realized it was ICE and they told me I was under arrest for "suspicious activity." I was taken to a center, placed in a room, and told I would be questioned soon.
I waited in that room for about five hours. During that time, all I could hear were people yelling, others crying, and at one point an agent screaming at someone,
"Shut your fucking mouth before I beat your god damn ass." The entire place felt hostile and frightening.
When they finally came in to question me, the first thing they asked was if I was a U.S. citizen. I told them yes, and I explained that I am a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona. They asked for identification, and I handed them my driver's license, my state ID, and my Tribal ID.
They inspected them and told me that my Tribal ID was not a valid form of identification and that my other two IDs "seemed fake." I explained that they were real, and that a Tribal ID is valid because it identifies me as a citizen of a federally recognized tribe. They told me not to "get smart" with them, told me I was "an illegal," and said they could do anything they wanted to me as long as I was there.
They had also told me they would "Do anything in our power to have illegals like you deported and if not killed". I told them that wasn't true, that I am from here, and that I am a U.S. citizen.
They eventually left the room, and about seven or eight hours later they returned and told me I was going to be released.
I was escorted out, and as I walked past, I heard certain agents making comments like "I can't wait to get rid of them all" and "I'm gonna turn them into my slaves". By the time I stepped outside, the sun was already going down. I'm thankful that nothing physical happened to me other than being tackled, but I was extremely worried about the other people I heard inside, and what they might have been going through.
Once I was released, I called a friend who came to pick me up. We went to get food, because none of us were given anything to eat or drink during all those hours at the center.
I never reported this incident out of fear for my family's safety. Even now, I am choosing to remain anonymous. But I am grateful to have my story told.
-------------
More:
ICE is sweeping up Native Americans in Minnesota arrests, tribal leaders say: ‘Our citizenship is not negotiable’
The Independent U.K. reports today:
More:
ICE is sweeping up Native Americans in Minnesota arrests, tribal leaders say: ‘Our citizenship is not negotiable’
The Independent U.K. reports today:
Several Native Americans have reportedly been swept up in Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, where federal agents are accused of racially profiling immigrants and citizens alike in rapid, warrantless arrests.
Four members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe were arrested and detained last week, according to Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out. Three remain in federal detention, according to the Tribe.
At least one other Native American, a member of the Red Lake Nation, was arrested and briefly detained last week. Jose Roberto “Beto” Ramirez, 20, was forcibly removed from his aunt’s car and detained by masked officers in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, according to video of his arrest.
Officers pulled him from the passenger’s seat, slammed him on the hood of the car, handcuffed him and hauled him to a detention center, where he spent roughly 10 hours.
Native Americans are U.S. citizens, holding dual citizenship rights and responsibilities under both federal and tribal laws. But indigenous leaders fear federal officers surging into the greater Minneapolis area are unlawfully stopping, questioning and detaining Native Minnesotans on the basis of their skin color and names, or racially profiling Tribal members who officers believe are Latino immigrants.
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