Oglala Sioux leaders press ICE in Minneapolis over four detained tribal members; three still unaccounted for
Oglala Sioux leaders say four unhoused tribal members living near the Little Earth housing project in Minneapolis were detained by ICE â one has been released and three remain unaccounted for â and while a tribal witness confirmed all four are enrolled members the tribe still lacks names and confirmed detention locations. Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out and leaders have traveled to and entered the Whipple Federal Building offering to provide enrollment documents, tribal attorneys are seeking help from Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and activist Chase Iron Eyes vowed they will remain until the missing members are found.
đ Key Facts
- As of Jan. 16, 2026, four unhoused Oglala Sioux men living near the Little Earth Housing Project in Minneapolis were detained by ICE; one has been released and three remain missing/unaccounted for.
- A tribal witness and tribal officials say all four detained men are enrolled Oglala Sioux tribal members, but the tribe does not yet have their names or confirmed detention locations.
- Oglala Sioux leaders traveled to Minneapolis and entered the Whipple Federal Building, offering to provide enrollment documents to federal officials to help locate and verify the status of their members.
- Tribal attorneys have reached out directly to Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to seek state assistance in locating and securing the release of the three missing men.
- Activist Chase Iron Eyes described the detentions as 'deliberate instigations of violence against tribal members, American citizens,' and said tribal leaders 'will be here for the duration' until they find their people.
đ Relevant Data
Little Earth Housing Project in Minneapolis is home to approximately 1,000 residents, 98% of whom identify as American Indian, representing more than 30 tribal nations.
Creating America's First Native Public Housing Complex â Next City
Native Americans make up just 2% of Minnesota's adult population but account for 30% of adults experiencing homelessness in the state as of 2025.
Native Americans Overrepresented in Minnesota Homelessness â LinkedIn (Wilder Research)
Native Americans are 30 times more likely than White Minnesotans to experience homelessness, making up 20% of the state's homeless population in 2023.
Minnesota Native groups expand efforts to protect unhoused women â Sahan Journal
More than 170 U.S. citizens were detained by ICE in 2025, including at raids and protests.
Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents Against Their Will â ProPublica
The American Indian and Alaska Native alone population in Minneapolis is 1.1% as of recent U.S. Census Bureau data.
Minneapolis city, Minnesota - U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts â U.S. Census Bureau
ICE detentions of Native Americans have been reported due to failures in recognizing valid tribal identification and targeting of unhoused individuals in urban areas.
ICE in Indian Country: 6 Considerations for Tribal Employers as Immigration Enforcement Increases â Fisher Phillips
đ° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out now specifies that four unhoused Oglala Sioux men living near the Little Earth Housing Project were detained by ICE; one has been released, while three remain missing.
- A tribal witness has confirmed that all four detained men are enrolled Oglala Sioux tribal members, but the tribe still does not have their names or confirmed detention locations.
- Oglala Sioux leaders have traveled to Minneapolis, entered the Whipple Federal Building, and say they are prepared to provide enrollment documents to federal officials to help locate and verify the status of their members.
- Tribal attorneys are reaching out directly to Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to seek state assistance in locating and securing the release of the three missing men.
- Chase Iron Eyes publicly framed the situation as 'deliberate instigations of violence against tribal members, American citizens, against peaceable American families' and said tribal leaders 'will be here for the duration' until they find their people.