Respect Tribal IDs Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced
Summary
Requires DHS to train immigration officers to recognize and properly handle Native American tribal IDs and the federal trust responsibility. The bill would set regional, scenario-based curricula and a tribal document database to guide immigration enforcement interactions with enrolled tribal members.
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- Native American tribal members would get officers trained to identify tribal documents and how to accept them as proof of U.S. citizenship, including tribal enrollment cards, certificates of degree of Indian blood, tribal census documents, tribal letters, and other Secretary-approved documents.
- DHS immigration officers and employees would have to complete the region-specific training before doing immigration enforcement work and retrain at least annually; curricula must be developed within 180 days.
- The Department of Homeland Security would develop a regional database of tribal document examples, include contact information and document formats for tribes, and use scenario exercises plus pre- and post-training assessments.
- DHS must work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and consult tribal representatives when creating the training and must report to specified congressional committees within 1 year on development and implementation.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory tribal training for DHS officers
If enacted, DHS would have to develop regional training for all immigration enforcement officers within 180 days. Training would cover how to interact with enrolled tribal members, how to identify and accept Native American tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship, how to access examples of tribal documents, and the U.S. trust responsibility to tribes. The curricula would include regional contact lists, scenario exercises, a database of tribal document examples, and pre- and post-training assessments. DHS officers could not perform immigration enforcement duties in their assigned region unless they complete the required training and annual retraining. The Secretary would also have to report to several House and Senate committees about implementation not later than one year after enactment.
Allow tribal documents as ID
If enacted, tribal members would be able to use Native American tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship when dealing with DHS. The bill would define which documents count, including tribal cards, tribal enrollment cards, certificates of degree of Indian blood, tribal census documents, and tribal letterhead documents signed by tribal officials. The Secretary of Homeland Security could also approve other tribal documents as confirming U.S. citizenship. The bill would use the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act definition of "Indian tribe" and would take effect 30 days after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 6/2/2026
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov