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119-s-4516119th Congress
Respect Tribal IDs Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced
Summary
Would require DHS immigration officers to complete region-specific training on interacting with Native American tribes and on identifying and accepting tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. The training aim is to improve how officers recognize tribal membership documents and handle contacts with enrolled tribal members.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Required DHS training on tribal IDs
If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security would have 180 days to create region-specific training with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal representatives. The training would teach officers how to interact with enrolled tribal members, identify Native American tribal documents, accept those documents as proof of U.S. citizenship, and explain the federal trust responsibility. Curricula would include regional tribal contact details and document formats, scenario exercises, a document database, and pre- and post-training tests. Officers would have to finish the region-specific training before doing enforcement duties in their region and retake it at least once a year. The Secretary would report on development and implementation to six congressional committees within one year.
Which tribal documents prove citizenship
If enacted, the bill would define which Native American tribal documents DHS may accept as proof of U.S. citizenship. It would use the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act definition for 'Indian tribe.' Covered papers would include tribal cards issued under section 7209 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; tribal enrollment cards; certificates of degree of Indian blood; tribal census documents; signed tribal letterhead documents that identify the tribe and the person; and any other document the Secretary approves. The definition would explicitly cover documents from tribes located in States with international borders.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov