Navajo Nation Warns Flagstaff Diné as ICE Weighs Office Setup

The Navajo Nation moved to alert Diné relatives living in and around Flagstaff after city officials confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is exploring options to station agents in local office space, with President Buu Nygren posting a public update and the Nation's Human Rights Commission issuing direct guidance on March 28.

The City of Flagstaff and Flagstaff Police Department had issued a joint update on March 26 reporting that ICE is currently exploring options for office space within the city. At that time, no location had been confirmed, no lease or purchase had been finalized, and no request had been made to use City of Flagstaff property. City officials had requested additional information from the federal government regarding any plans.

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office indicated that any potential presence would likely involve office space only, and no further details have been confirmed.

The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission directed its guidance specifically at relatives living off the Nation, a significant population given Flagstaff's role as a hub for Diné residents who live, work, and seek services outside reservation boundaries. The Commission's guidance is concrete: carry photo identification at all times, with a REAL ID or U.S. passport recommended. State-issued IDs can still help verify identity. Critically, ICE does not recognize Certificates of Indian Blood or non-photo IDs — a distinction that carries direct consequences for Diné community members who may carry tribal enrollment documents as their primary identification.

Nygren's office urged community members to memorize the Operation Rainbow Bridge hotline: 1-800-HELP-ORB (1-800-435-7672). The Nation also called on community members to share the information broadly, framing the effort as one of collective protection: "Please share this information to help keep our relatives informed, prepared, and protected."

No ICE statements, named federal spokespeople, candidate buildings, or finalized timelines appear in any official materials released through March 28. The situation remains unresolved as city officials await a federal response.